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Kestler-Peleg M, Segev E, Kagan M. Exploring the Role of Discrepancy Stress and Muscle Dysmorphia in the Association Between Gender Role Discrepancy and Masculine Depression in Israeli Men. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:3061-3071. [PMID: 38918328 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02931-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Guided by the dynamic model of masculinity and men's psychopathology, the current study aimed to explore the mediating role of masculine discrepancy stress and each of the muscle dysmorphia dimensions (drive for size, appearance intolerance, and functional impairments) in the association between masculine gender role discrepancy and masculine depression. For the present study, 936 Israeli men completed a structured self-report questionnaire. Masculine discrepancy stress and some of the muscle dysmorphia dimensions were found to partially mediate the association between masculine gender role discrepancy and masculine depression. The findings demonstrate how the internalization of social gender expectations and men's gender role discrepancy is reflected in the gap between perception of self and the typical man, which is eventually related to mental health outcomes. In turn, men attempt to mitigate the stress through what they perceive as masculine, reflecting muscle dysmorphia: drive for size, appearance intolerance, and functional impairments, which in turn predict masculine depression. Therefore, mental and physical health professionals are advised to be aware of these mechanisms, in order to recognize the negative mental health outcomes arising from traditional societal gender role expectations and provide specific solutions for them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Einav Segev
- School of Social Work, Sapir Academic College, Sderot, Israel
| | - Maya Kagan
- School of Social Work, Ariel University, 40700, Ariel, Israel
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Ganson KT, Hallward L, Rodgers RF, Testa A, Jackson DB, Nagata JM. Associations between violent victimization and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia: Findings from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors. Body Image 2023; 46:294-299. [PMID: 37392677 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the associations between violent victimization and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia (MD) among a sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults. Data from 2538 adolescents and young adults (16-30 years) from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors were analyzed. Violent victimization assessed included experiences of rape, sexual assault, emotional abuse, and physical abuse occurring in the past 12 months. A violent victimization sum score was also created. Symptoms of MD were assessed using the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI). Linear regression analyses were conducted, stratified by gender, to determine the associations between violent victimization and MDDI total score and subscale scores. Among women and men, experiencing sexual assault, physical abuse, and emotional abuse in the past 12 months were significantly associated with a higher MDDI total score. Additionally, as the number of forms of violent victimization experienced increased, the likelihood of a higher MDDI total score also increased, with the strongest association among women and men who reported experiencing three or more victimizations. Findings expand the limited prior research suggesting associations between violent victimization and MD by assessing these associations via multiple forms of victimization and amongst a sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle T Ganson
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Laura Hallward
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; School of Kinesiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel F Rodgers
- Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatric Emergency & Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Alexander Testa
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dylan B Jackson
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jason M Nagata
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Frederick DA, Murray SB. The U.S. Body Project I: Inspirations and Lessons Learned. Body Image 2023; 46:223-229. [PMID: 37354878 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
The U.S. Body Project I examined predictors and prevalence of body image concerns among 11,620 adults recruited via Mechanical Turk. Researchers were invited to propose hypotheses or conduct secondary data analysis on the anonymized dataset. This resulted in 11 papers for this special issue. The first four papers examined the demographic predictors and prevalence of (1) body satisfaction, (2) objectification and tripartite model constructs, (3) sexuality-related body image concerns, and (4) face image satisfaction. The next four papers tested different structural equation models linking objectification and tripartite constructs to outcomes among women (5) and men (6) varying in body mass, and across racial (7) and sexual orientation (8) groups. We then tested measurement invariance of the scales (9) and introduced an abbreviated measure (10), and applied machine learning to examine associations among variables (11). Here we reflect on our personal and academic journeys leading to this project, and lessons learned.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Frederick
- Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University, Orange, CA, USA.
| | - Stuart B Murray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Grunewald W, Kinkel-Ram SS, Smith AR. Conformity to masculine norms, masculine discrepancy stress, and changes in muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Body Image 2022; 40:237-248. [PMID: 35066243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is a severe psychiatric illness; however, little is known regarding risk factors for MD development. Conformity to masculine norms may represent a risk factor for MD, but research has yet to establish temporal ordering for these relationships. Masculine discrepancy stress (distress at not amounting to masculine stereotypes) could represent a mechanism underlying these relationships. Therefore, the current study examined longitudinal relationships between conformity to masculine norms, masculine discrepancy stress, and MD symptoms. Participants were 272 men displaying elevated MD symptoms who completed self-report questionnaires at three timepoints. An autoregressive cross-lagged mediation model was specified to examine relationships between conformity to masculine norms and MD symptoms and test if masculine discrepancy stress mediated these relationships. Masculine discrepancy stress did not mediate relationships between masculine norms and MD symptoms. However, MD symptoms predicted increased masculine discrepancy stress, and conformity to masculine norms was related to MD symptoms. MD symptoms were both a predictor and outcome of masculine norms, and signs for relationships differed on the masculine norm endorsed. Conformity to masculine norms may represent a risk factor and outcome for MD symptoms. If clinicians provide clients with tools to reduce rigid adherence to masculine identities, this may prevent MD symptom development.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Grunewald
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
| | - Shruti S Kinkel-Ram
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Miami University, 90N Patterson Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - April R Smith
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
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Roche C, Trompeter N, Bussey K, Mond J, Cunningham ML, Murray SB, Lonergan A, Mitchison D. Gender compatibility and drive for muscularity among adolescent boys: Examining the indirect effect of emotion regulation difficulties. Body Image 2021; 39:213-220. [PMID: 34500425 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The drive for muscularity continues to be a prominent concern among adolescent boys. However, it is unknown how gender compatibility (gender typicality and gender contentedness) relates to this pursuit. The present study sought to examine the link between gender compatibility and drive for muscularity among male adolescents, and whether this is partially accounted for by emotion regulation difficulties. Participants were 903 male adolescents, aged 11-19 years, who completed self-report measures as part of the EveryBODY study. Using path analysis, a proposed mediation model was assessed, testing an indirect pathway of gender compatibility and drive for muscularity through emotion regulation difficulties. Findings showed an indirect pathway between gender compatibility and drive for muscularity through emotion regulation difficulties. That is, boys who were more content with their male gender and believed they were typical of their gender reported fewer emotion regulation difficulties and, in turn, exhibited a lower drive for muscularity. Findings support theoretical perspectives integrating masculinity and muscularity in boys, in that those who feel less compatible with their masculinity could be susceptible to developing a greater drive for muscularity to regulate distress deriving from perceptions of not being sufficiently masculine. This study sets the groundwork for future longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Roche
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nora Trompeter
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Kay Bussey
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jonathan Mond
- Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | | | - Stuart B Murray
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Alexandra Lonergan
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Deborah Mitchison
- Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia; Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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Cunningham ML, Rodgers RF, Lavender JM, Nagata JM, Frederick D, Szabo M, Murray SB. 'Big boys don't cry': Examining the indirect pathway of masculinity discrepancy stress and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology through dimensions of emotion dysregulation. Body Image 2020; 34:209-214. [PMID: 32653831 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Prevailing conceptualizations of muscle dysmorphia (MD) have highlighted the role of adherence to stereotypical ideals of masculinity. In addition, the endorsement of masculine norms has been associated with dysfunctional emotional regulation, itself a correlate of body image psychopathology. Building on this, the present study sought to investigate the indirect relationship between masculinity discrepancy stress (i.e., distress related to one's perceived discrepancy in masculinity) and MD symptomatology via different facets of emotion dysregulation among adult men. A sample of 391 university and community men aged 18-50 years completed an online survey measuring the aforementioned constructs. A test of parallel indirect pathways revealed that emotion dysregulation, as a unitary construct, accounted for a substantial proportion (29.3 %) of the total association between masculinity discrepancy stress and MD symptomatology. Further, a significant unique indirect pathway was found through the specific emotion dysregulation facet of lack of access to adaptive emotion regulation strategies. Together, these findings suggest that emotion dysregulation is a particularly important construct to consider in understanding the relationship between perceived discrepancies in masculinity and MD symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel F Rodgers
- Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatric Emergency & Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Jason M Lavender
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Program (MiCOR), Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA; The Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jason M Nagata
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Frederick
- Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University, Orange, CA, USA
| | - Marianna Szabo
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart B Murray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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