The study’s findings demonstrated that while the
participants reported high collective self-esteem (positive
regard for the social groups to which they belong) and
high level of perceived support from family and friends,
the results from the regression analysis indicated that
these two variables did not significantly predict level of
acceptability of cosmetic surgery. For Thai women,
acceptance of cosmetic surgery might possibly be
grounded in other types of self-esteem related to more
intrapersonal aspects than to collective considerations.
Nonetheless, Thailand is a collectivistic-oriented culture
and it is important to note that higher collectivist
orientation is associated with higher levels of social
influence to create harmony and avoid conflict
(Kongsompong, Green, & Patterson 2009; Konrath,
2012). High collective self-esteem may reflect the process
of internalization of social conformity to the social trend
of having cosmetic surgery as a means of selfimprovement
(White & Lehman, 2005).