Drive for muscularity and social physique anxiety mediate the perceived ideal physique muscle dysmorphia relationship. 2014

Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
1Department of Psychology, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom; 2School of Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia; 3Institute of Sports and Exercise Science, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdom; and 4Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, School of Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.

This study examined the mediating role of drive for muscularity and social physique anxiety (SPA) in the perceived muscular male ideal physique and muscle dysmorphia relationship in weight training men. Men (N = 146, mean ± SD; age, 22.8 ± 5.0 years; weight, 82.0 ± 11.1 kg; height, 1.80 ± 0.07 m; body mass index, 25.1 ± 3.0) who participated in weight training completed validated questionnaires measuring drive for muscularity, SPA, perceived muscular male ideal physique, global muscle dysmorphia, and several characteristics of muscle dysmorphia (exercise dependence, diet manipulation, concerns about size/symmetry, physique protection behavior, and supplementation). Perceived ideal physique was an independent predictor of muscle dysmorphia measures except physique protection (coefficients = 0.113-0.149, p ≤ 0.05). Perceived ideal physique also predicted muscle dysmorphia characteristics (except physique protection and diet) through the indirect drive for muscularity pathway (coefficients = 0.055-0.116, p ≤ 0.05). Perceived ideal physique also predicted size/symmetry concerns and physique protection through the indirect drive for muscularity and SPA pathway (coefficients = 0.080-0.025, p ≤ 0.05). These results extend current research by providing insights into the way correlates of muscle dysmorphia interact to predict the condition. The results also highlight signs (e.g., anxiety about muscularity) that strength and conditioning coaches can use to identify at-risk people who may benefit from being referred for psychological assistance.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014891 Weight Lifting A sport in which weights are lifted competitively or as an exercise. Lifting, Weight,Liftings, Weight,Weight Liftings
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults
D057215 Body Dysmorphic Disorders Preoccupations with appearance or self-image causing significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning. Body Image Disfunction,Body Image Disorders,Body Dysmorphic Disorder,Body Image Disfunctions,Body Image Disorder,Disfunction, Body Image,Disfunctions, Body Image,Disorder, Body Dysmorphic,Disorders, Body Dysmorphic,Disorders, Body Image,Dysmorphic Disorder, Body,Dysmorphic Disorders, Body,Image Disfunction, Body,Image Disfunctions, Body,Image Disorders, Body

Related Publications

Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
January 2009, Body image,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
September 2009, Journal of strength and conditioning research,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
March 2010, Body image,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
October 2022, Perspectives in psychiatric care,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
May 2021, JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
January 2019, Eating disorders,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
September 2008, Research quarterly for exercise and sport,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
March 2016, Body image,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
January 2021, Frontiers in psychology,
Adam Thomas, and David A Tod, and Christian J Edwards, and Michael R McGuigan
May 2009, Journal of strength and conditioning research,
Copied contents to your clipboard!