Body image experiences among men in midlife

Abstract

To date, little is known about body image experiences of men in midlife, or the extent to which this is associated with engagement in risky body change behaviors and negative mental health. To fill in the gap in literature, body image experiences of men in midlife were examined through a test of an integrated model of body image disturbances, which brought together elements of etiological models of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating that have gained some empirical support with women and men in young adulthood. In addition, an integrated model integrated age specific constructs that were identified as potentially useful in understanding midlife men's body image disturbances based on literature review. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were gathered from 216 men in midlife, defined as men between the ages of 45 and 60. An integrated model was modified in accordance with results from the Structural equation modeling analyses and the final model revealed an adequate fit to the data. Overall, findings indicate that men in midlife experience interpersonal pressures from friends, family and partners, to conform to the sociocultural ideals of muscular and lean physique and youthful appearance. Such pressures were related to engagement in muscle development and disordered eating behaviors through a number of pathways among key variables including internalization of ideals, appearance comparison, sexual objectification, body dissatisfaction, experiences of embodiment and body change attitudes. Furthermore, responses to open ended questions revealed usefulness of work environment as one of sources of sociocultural pressure. Comments from midlife men also highlighted importance of participation in process of acceptance and meaning making of inevitable changes of body and appearance with age. Furthermore, midlife men prioritized focus on health and comfort in one's skin as critical elements of their ideals and positive body image over the sociocultural ideals. These findings from responses to open ended questions suggest listening to midlife men's experiences serves as an important source of knowledge that could inform identifications of additional constructs related to their body image experiences.