| Description |
Although body image research in men has explained various psychological factors leading to body dissatisfaction, limited research has examined the anxiety men experience with regards to how they internalize a mesomorphic ideal and become dissatisfied with their appearance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between internalization of the mesomorphic ideal, appearance anxiety, and body dissatisfaction, as well as the potential mediating effect of appearance anxiety on the relationship between internalization of the mesomorphic ideal and body dissatisfaction in college-aged men. Participants included 158 heterosexual males, between the ages of 18 and 25. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires that consisted of questions regarding gender, sexual orientation, age, race/ethnicity, currently enrolled in classes, and eating disorder diagnosis. Also, items from various scales measured internalization, appearance anxiety, and body dissatisfaction. Results indicated significant associations between internalization of the mesomorphic ideal and appearance anxiety and internalization of the mesomorphic ideal and body dissatisfaction. Appearance anxiety was found to mediate the effect of internalization of the mesomorphic ideal on body dissatisfaction. The study found that those who internalize an ideal muscular physique and experience anxiety related to their appearance are more likely to be dissatisfied with their body. Future research includes conducting a qualitative design to explore each construct of interest to gain narrative information. |
