Media internalization and conformity to traditional masculine norms in relation to body image concerns among men

Arthur Y De Jesus,Lina A Ricciardelli,Ann Frisén,Linda Smolak,Zali Yager,Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz,Phillippa C Diedrichs,Debra Franko,Kristina Holmqvist Gattario

doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2015.04.004

Abstract

Previous studies have separately examined conformity to masculine norms and internalization of body ideals in the media in relation to the drive for muscularity (DM). This study was designed to examine these factors together in relation to DM, and further examine how they may differ in relation to drive for thinness (DT) and drive for leanness (DL). Participants were 284 Australian males between ages 18 and 42. They completed validated measures that assessed DM, DT, DL, male gender role norms, and internalization of body ideals. The findings showed that internalization of body ideals mediated the relationship between masculine role norms and body image in the case of both DM and DL. However, masculine norms and internalization were independent predictors of DT. Our findings contribute to further understanding of the roles that the media and masculine norms have in shaping men's drive for muscularity, leanness, and thinness. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm the nature and direction of these relationships.

Highlights

Body image issues were considered problems that occurred primarily among women
Drive for Muscularity’ (DM), Drive for Thinness’ (DT), and Drive for Leanness’ (DL) were all correlated with each other; the relationship between DM and DL (.55, p
The findings supported the relationship between masculine norms and media internalization, which is consistent with the view that the media represents and reinforces gender role norms (Thompson, et al, 2012; Tiggemann, 2012)

Summary

Introduction

Body image issues were considered problems that occurred primarily among women. While a significant number of men display problems at the clinical level, men in the general community display subclinical levels of body image concerns that involve attitudes and behaviors associated with muscularity, leanness, and/or thinness (Bergeron & Tylka, 2007; Fernandez & Pritchard, 2012; Smolak & Murnen, 2008). Male gender role norms are important because they reflect and reinforce social and cultural expectations for men to conform to particular behaviors and attitudes (Levant, 2011; Thompson & Pleck, 1986). The reviewed studies have shown that male gender role norms and media internalization are related to men’s body image concerns but none of the previous studies have examined the two factors together. Differences attributable to men’s body mass index (BMI) were controlled, as some studies have shown that men’s body image concerns are related to their BMI (e.g., Daniel & Bridges, 2010)

Participants

Preliminary data analyses

Discussion

Risk Taking