Relationship between Repressive Coping Style and Facial Asymmetry

The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship between repressive coping style and facial asymmetry. The subjects of the present study were 127 college students. For calculation of facial asymmetry, we used the calculation methods suggested by Grammer and Thornhill. (1994). Two different indices (FA, CFA) of horizontal asymmetry were measured in the present study. Repressive coping style was assessed based on the scores of Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS) and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS). The subjects were classified into 4 groups based on the average scores of MA S and MCSDS; High anxiety-High defensiveness, High anxiety-Low defensiveness, Low anxiety-High defensiveness, Low anxiety-Low defensiveness. The analysis resulted in significant correlation between CFA (one of the facial asymmetry indices) and the contrast coding variable for comparing the low anxious group with the other three groups. That is, the low anxious group showed relatively-higher CFA values than the other three groups. The present finding suggests that facial asymmetry is not necessarily related to negative personality characteristics.