Biceps and body image: the relationship between muscularity and self-esteem, depression, and eating disorder symptoms
Abstract
The present study examined body image and associated psychological traits in 154 college men. The comprehensive battery of measures included a novel computerized test of body image perception, the Somatomorphic Matrix, in which subjects could navigate through a range of body images, spanning a wide range of body fat and muscularity, to answer various questions posed by the computer. Subjects also completed paper-and-pencil instruments assessing depression, characteristics of eating disorders, self-esteem, and use of performance-enhancing substances. Findings suggest that contemporary American men display substantial body dissatisfaction and that this dissatisfaction is closely associated with depression, measures of eating pathology, use of performance-enhancing substances, and low self-esteem. Muscle belittlement, believing that one is less muscular than he is, presented as an important construct in the body dissatisfaction of men.
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Body image and appearance is an important concern for most men and women.
“Body image and appearance is an important concern for most men and women (Olivardia et al., 2004; Kelley et al., 2010; Runfola et al., 2013).”
From The degree to which the cultural ideal is internalized predicts judgments of male and female physical attractiveness (2022) · cites this paper as Olivardia et al., 2004
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“Body image and appearance is an important concern for most men and women (Olivardia et al., 2004; Kelley et al., 2010; Runfola et al., 2013).”
Background
- Authors
- Olivardia, R., Pope, H. G., Borowiecki, J. J., & Cohane, G. H.
- ORCID
- Pope, Harrison G.
- Venue
- Psychology of Men & Masculinity
- Published
- 2004-07
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 112-120
- ISSN
- 1524-9220 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-151X
- OpenAlex
- W2171151088
- Cited by
- 614
- References
- 67
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 39 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 27.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychology of Men & Masculinity (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Keywords
- body image, muscularity, body dissatisfaction, men, self-esteem, depression, eating disorder symptoms, performance-enhancing drugs, male university students
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