Cited by 34Eating Disorders and BehaviorsBody Image and Dysmorphia StudiesAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Untangling the associations between generalized anxiety and body dissatisfaction: The mediating effects of social physique anxiety among collegiate men and women

Open access
Pritchard, Mary, Brasil, Kyle, McDermott, Ryon, Holdiman, Anna·2021·Body Image

Abstract

Researchers disagree on which types of anxiety influence body dissatisfaction and how gender (cisgender men vs. cisgender women) may impact these associations. Specifically, little is known about how generalized anxiety and social physique anxiety combine to predict body dissatisfaction in men and women. The purpose of the present study was to explore a moderated mediation model in which the relationships between generalized anxiety and body dissatisfaction (drive for thinness and drive for muscularity) were mediated by social physique anxiety and moderated by gender. Data from 423 U.S. college students (n = 259 women) were analyzed using multigroup structural equation modeling. Generalized anxiety was positively associated with social physique anxiety, and this association was significantly stronger for men than for women. Neither social physique anxiety nor generalized anxiety were associated with drive for muscularity. Social physique anxiety was positively and significantly associated with drive for thinness equally for men and women and emerged as a significant mediator. These results highlight gender differences/similarities in body image and suggest drive for thinness and social physique anxiety may have a common factor of generalized anxiety. When helping clients who suffer with body dissatisfaction, clinicians and researchers may wish to focus on generalized anxiety (and not just social physique anxiety).

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.10.002

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Authors
Pritchard, M., Brasil, K., McDermott, R., & Holdiman, A.
Affiliations
  • Boise State University (US)
  • University of South Alabama (US)
Corresponding author
Pritchard, Mary
Venue
Body Image
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-12
Volume
39
Pages
266-275
ISSN
1740-1445 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3211079729
Cited by
34
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 4
FWCI
2.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Locations
  • Body Image (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ScholarWorks (Boise State University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
generalized anxiety disorder, social physique anxiety, body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, drive for muscularity, gender differences, university students, moderated mediation
MeSH terms
Anxiety, Body Image, Drive, Female, Humans, Male, Thinness, Universities

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