Body Attitudes Scale Research Articles

Self-awareness and Social Influences as Predictors of Body Dissatisfaction and Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery for Social Reasons Among Men

BackgroundBody dissatisfaction and the use of surgery for purely aesthetic reasons among men is steadily increasing. Nevertheless, compared to women, few studies have focused on specific sociocultural and individual factors predicting men’s body dissatisfaction and interest in cosmetic surgery procedures. The present study investigated the role of media, significant others, public and private self-awareness in predicting men’s body dissatisfaction and acceptance of cosmetic surgery for social reasons.MethodsParticipants were 203 men (mean-age 24 years), who completed a questionnaire containing the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-4R, the Situational Self-Awareness Scale, the Muscular internalization subscale, the Male Body Attitudes Scale, and the Social subscale of the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale. A path analysis was performed.ResultsThe influence of significant others and public self-awareness predicted men’s body dissatisfaction directly and indirectly, via muscularity internalization, while media was only directly associated with body dissatisfaction. A significant link between private self-awareness and body dissatisfaction was found. Moreover, media was not associated with cosmetic surgery either directly or indirectly and public self-awareness showed only a significant association with internalization.ConclusionsThese findings provide information about the role that self-awareness and sociocultural factor play on body dissatisfaction and acceptance of surgery for social reasons among men. The study highlighted the importance of designing preventive programs aimed at enhancing men’s ability to resist various forms of pressure regarding body image and its management. Moreover, the advantages of focusing one’s attention on internal states and feelings can limit body dissatisfaction and can discourage consideration of cosmetic surgery for social benefits.Level of Evidence VThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Factorial validity, reliability, and measurement invariance of the Negative Physical Self Scale in a sample of men residing in North America.

The Negative Physical Self Scale (NPSS) is a measure of body dissatisfaction that was developed for administration within an Asian sample and has recently been translated to English and validated for use in North American female samples. The aim of the present study was to examine the factor structure and measurement invariance of the English-translated version of the NPSS across three ethnic groups (i.e., Caucasian, Asian, and other) using a sample of men residing in North America. Additionally, the internal consistency, convergent validity, and incremental validity of the NPSS were examined. A sample of 534 young (aged between 18 and 25) North American men completed self-report measures of the NPSS, the Body Shape Questionnaire, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, and the Male Body Attitudes Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on two hypothesized models. The results supported the second-order factor structure (four factors with three subdimensions). Overall, we found that the factor structure and factor loadings of the NPSS were equal in participants across three broad ethnic categories (i.e., Caucasian, Asian, and other). Likewise, the NPSS displayed first-order scalar invariance. Further, the NPSS test scores demonstrated high internal consistency, strong convergent validity, and incremental validity over and above the existing measures of body dissatisfaction, body attitudes, and disordered eating. In sum, the English version of the NPSS is a valid and appropriate measure to assess body dissatisfaction in men residing in North America. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The Mediator Role of Femininity-Masculinity Perceptions Between Body Perception and Eating Attitudes

It is thought that ideal body norms which is shaped under the influence of Western culture are effective in the rapid increase in the rate of eating disorders in recent years. Body norms are gender specific. And it is thought that the desire to be thin in women and to be muscular in men increases body dissatisfaction. As these norms are more exposed in Western culture, it is claimed that femininity and masculinity norms over the body are reflected through ideal body characteristics. However in recent years, it is thought that these ideal body norms specific to gender, due to factors such as communication tools and media, increase body dissatisfaction in other cultures. In this study, in order to test this view, in the Turkish population the mediation effect of femininity-masculinity perception in the relationship between gender-specific body dissatisfaction and eating attitudes was investigated with Process Macro Analysis. The study was carried out with 430 female and 414 male between the ages of 18 and 26 years. In this study, Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitude Scale, Feminine Thoughts Scale, Male-Specific Body Attitude Scale, Masculinity Role Norms Scale and Eating Attitude Test were administered to the participants. According to the findings, as the desire to be thin in women and desire to be muscular in men increased, body dissatisfaction also increased. As adherence to norms of femininity in women and masculinity norms in men increased, body dissatisfaction and deterioration in eating attitudes also increased. The mediating effect of gender role norms was not found in women. A low mediation effect of masculinity norms was found between body dissatisfaction and eating attitudes in men. As a result, ideal body characteristics changed according to gender and according to the level of adherence to gender norms, the risk of developing an eating disorder changes.

Psychometric properties of the Male Body Attitudes Scale—Revised among Brazilian men.

Psychometric properties of the Male Body Attitudes Scale—Revised among Brazilian men.

Gender differences in symptom presentation and treatment outcome in children and youths with eating disorders

BackgroundTo address the gaps in the literature examining eating disorders among males and gender minority youths, a prospective study was designed to assess gender differences in eating disorder symptom presentation and outcomes. Muscularity concerns may be particularly relevant for male youths with eating disorders, and were included in assessment of eating disorder symptom presentation.MethodsAll cisgender male youths who presented for specialized eating disorder treatment at one of two sites were invited to participate, along with a group of matched cisgender females, and all youths who did not identify with the sex assigned to them at birth. Youths completed measures of eating disorder symptoms, including muscularity concerns, and other psychiatric symptoms at baseline and end of treatment.ResultsA total of 27 males, 28 females and 6 trans youths took part in the study. At baseline, Kruskal–Wallis tests demonstrated that trans youths reported higher scores than cisgender male and female youths on measures of eating pathology (Eating disorder examination-questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the body fat subscale of the male body attitudes scale (MBAS)). These analyses demonstrated that there were no differences between cisgender male and female youths on eating disorder symptoms at baseline. However, repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated that males had greater decreases in eating pathology at discharge than did females, based on self-reported scores on the EDE-Q, MBAS, and Body Change Inventory.ConclusionsGender differences in eating pathology appeared at baseline, with trans youths reporting higher levels of eating pathology than cisgender youths, though no differences between cisgender males and females emerged at baseline for eating disorder symptom presentation. Contrary to expectations, there were no gender differences in measures of muscularity concerns. Males demonstrated greater eating disorder symptom improvements than females, suggesting that male adolescents may have better treatment outcomes than females in some domains.

Assessing the measurement invariance of a Latin-American Spanish translation of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 in Mexican, Argentinean, and Colombian adolescents

In order to advance in the study of positive body image among different cultures, it is important to create culturally appropriate measures. We examined the psychometric properties of a Latin-American Spanish translation of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015a), specifically assessing measurement invariance using a large sample of 3845 male and female adolescents from Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia. Participants completed the BAS-2, Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Male Body Attitude Scale and the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-3. The BAS-2 had a unidimensional factor structure in each of the three samples. We confirmed the structural, metric, and scalar invariance of the scale regardless of gender or country. Adolescents in Argentina had lower body appreciation compared with those in Mexico and Colombia. Overall, females had lower body appreciation than males, with the greatest gender difference found in the Argentinean sample. Our findings strongly support the validity and reliability of this Latin-American translation of the BAS-2 in measuring positive body image in adolescents in Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.

Using network analysis to identify central eating disorder symptoms among men.

The network theory of psychopathology has been described as an "innovative framework" that may "transform" clinical psychological science. Several network studies have identified central eating disorder (ED) symptoms, yet studies have been comprised primarily of women. Using two large samples, we constructed ED symptom networks among men to identify central symptoms. Participants were recruited from three universities and using Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Male Body Attitudes Scale, and Drive for Muscularity Scale. ED symptom networks were jointly estimated among men with (n = 248) and without core ED symptoms (n = 902). Core ED symptoms were defined by (a) scoring above a suggested male EDE-Q clinical cutoff and (b) reporting symptoms consistent with probable ED diagnoses. Expected influence and predictability (proportion of each node's variance explained by other nodes in the network) were calculated for each node. Shape overvaluation, desiring weight loss, fear of losing control over eating, feeling guilty for missing weight training, and using supplements had the greatest expected influence and predictability. Network structures did not significantly differ between participants with versus without core ED symptoms. The centricity of body dissatisfaction items in the networks supports some components of cognitive behavioral theories of EDs. However, the findings also suggest the importance of muscularity- and leanness-oriented concerns, which have been traditionally neglected from leading ED theories that tend to focus on thinness pursuits as a main driver of body dissatisfaction.

The relationship between psychophysical body categorization performance and male body dissatisfaction

The present study compared the predictive relationship between various psychophysical indices of body categorization performance (Point of Subjective Equivalence (PSE), Just Noticeable Difference (JND) and Reaction Time (RT)) and male body dissatisfaction (Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS)) and eating disorder symptoms (Eating disorders examination questionnaire (EDE-Q)), with performance on a validated figure rating scale (Visual Body Scale for Men (VBSM)). Body Mass Index, body fat percentage, and fat free mass index were also measured. PSE was not as sensitive in predicting body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms as the VBSM. JND and average RT were found to be sensitive predictors of body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms across the 82 male participants. JND proved to be a better indicator of weight concern than the VBSM-M. Whilst the body categorization task offers new insights into the way body images may be processed by males with different levels of body dissatisfaction, the VBSM and the conventional self-report measures are likely to be clinically more efficacious at measuring body dissatisfaction.

Assessment of Body Image, Sexual Function, and Attractiveness in Women With Genital Prolapse: A Cross-Sectional Study With Validation of the Body Image in the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (BIPOP) Questionnaire

IntroductionWomen’s sense of attractiveness and body image, and the impact of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) over these constructs, are likely influenced by social and cultural background. AimTo evaluate sexual function and body image in women with POP, to compare the sense of attractiveness between women with and without POP, and to translate the Body Image in the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (BIPOP) questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese and validate it in this population. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study of 105 Brazilian women with POP, we administered the BIPOP (scored from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating worse body image), the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) (scored from 2 to 36, with higher scores indicating lower risk for sexual dysfunction), and the Attractiveness subscale of the Body Attitudes Scale questionnaire (BAQ) (scored from 5 to 35, with higher score indicating better body image). We also included 100 control women who completed the BAQ Attractiveness subscale questionnaire. Main Outcome MeasureThe main outcome measure included BIPOP, FSFI, and BAQ Attractiveness scores. ResultsMean BIPOP scores were 3.09 ± 1.08 in women with any POP, 3.05 ± 1.00 in those with lesser-stage POP (1 or 2), and 3.13 ± 1.15 in those with advanced-stage POP (3 or 4). There were no significant differences in score according to prolapse staging (P = .71). FSFI scores were independently associated with BIPOP scores (β = –0.052; P = .02). The mean scores for the BAQ Attractiveness subscale was 17.01 ± 4.07 in women with POP and 16.97 ± 4.60 in those without POP (P = .93). Older age was the sole characteristic associated with being sexually inactive in women with POP; regarding sexual function, a better body image and higher attractiveness scores were independently associated with a higher FSFI score. As for the Portuguese validation of the BIPOP instrument, the adapted version maintained good internal consistency (α = 0.908), good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.94), and adequate construct validity. Clinical ImplicationsWomen with POP may not relate sexual function or attractiveness to POP extension. An impaired body image is associated with worse perception of attractiveness and increased risk for sexual dysfunction. Strength & LimitationsAs strengths, we used a specific genital body image scale, and this is first study of its kind among Brazilian women. As for weaknesses, we encountered low educational levels in the women with POP. ConclusionAmong women with POP, the anatomic features of the prolapse do not seem to interfere with genital body image or with sexual function. In addition, the presence of POP was not associated with being sexually active or inactive.Moroni RM, da Silva Lara LA, Ferreira CHJ, et al. Assessment of Body Image, Sexual Function, and Attractiveness in Women With Genital Prolapse: A Cross-Sectional Study With Validation of the Body Image in the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (BIPOP) Questionnaire. J Sex Med 2019;16:126–136.

Study on the Validation of the Korean Version of Grindler Body Attitude Scale

Study on the Validation of the Korean Version of Grindler Body Attitude Scale

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS) among Spanish Adolescent Males

The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure of the Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS) among a sample of 212 adolescent males by conducting a confirmatory factor analysis. The data revealed that while muscularity and low body fat factors were appropriate for the male sample, the height factor was not supported. The composite MBAS-Spanish version (MBAS-S) and its two factors had high internal consistency and were not significantly related to the traditionally used measure of body image (Eating Disorder Inventory–Body Dissatisfaction [BD]), confirming that this subscale only appears to evaluate female body concerns. Correlations with psychological well-being variables (anxiety, emotional regulation, and self-esteem) supported the concurrent validity of the instrument. These findings provide further evidence in support of the hypothesis that BD in males has been inappropriately evaluated by measures designed specifically for females. Despite the fact that our results did not replicate the original factorial structure of the instrument, the MBAS-S presents adequate psychometric properties and can be considered as a valuable assessment tool for BD among adolescent males.

Body Dissatisfaction in a Diverse Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: The P18 Cohort Study.

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) may be at greater risk for body dissatisfaction, compared to their heterosexual peers. However, differences within YMSM populations are understudied, precluding the identification of YMSM who are at greatest risk. This study examined body dissatisfaction in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of YMSM ages 18-19 in New York City. Using cross-sectional data from the baseline visit of a longitudinal cohort study of YMSM (N=591), body dissatisfaction was assessed using the Male Body Attitudes Scale. Three outcomes were modeled using linear regression: (1) overall body dissatisfaction, (2) muscularity dissatisfaction, and (3) body fat dissatisfaction. Covariates in the models included race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, BMI, gay community affiliation, and internalized homonegativity. White YMSM experienced greater body dissatisfaction across the three models. Internalized homonegativity was a statistically significant predictor of dissatisfaction across the three models, though its association with body dissatisfaction was relatively small. The findings point to future avenues of research, particularly qualitative research to explore demographic and cultural nuances in body attitudes among YMSM.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Drive for Muscularity Scale-S (DMS-S) and Male Body Attitudes Scale-S (MBAS-S) among male university students in Buenos Aires

Several studies have demonstrated that men express body dissatisfaction differently than women. Although specific instruments that address body dissatisfaction in men have been developed, only a few have been validated in Latin-American male populations. The aim of this study was to reassess the factor structure of the Spanish versions of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS-S) and the Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS-S) in an Argentinian sample. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 male students to examine: the factorial structure (confirmatory factor analysis), the internal consistency reliability, and the concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity of both scales. Results replicated the two factor structures for the DMS-S and MBAS-S. Both scales showed excellent levels of internal consistency, and various measures of construct validity indicated that the DMS-S and MBAS-S were acceptable and valid instruments to assess body dissatisfaction in Argentinian males.

Body image and sexually transmissible infection prevalence among men who have sex with men.

Compared with men who have sex with women, some evidence suggests that men who have sex with men (MSM) have increased prevalence of body image dissatisfaction. MSM also have a higher prevalence of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) than other population groups. As part of a cross-sectional study, body image among 104 MSM using the standardised, validated Male Body Attitudes Scale was assessed. Associations between body image and prevalent STI were examined. Body image was not associated with prevalent STI in unadjusted [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.86-1.52] or adjusted analyses (PR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.89-1.53).

Relationships between body image, nutritional supplement use, and attitudes towards doping in sport among adolescent boys: implications for prevention programs

BackgroundReports of high levels of use of protein powders and nutritional supplements among young men is a concern because these substances may act as a gateway for the use of drugs and illegal substances to enhance appearance or sports performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body dissatisfaction, weight change behaviors, supplement use, and attitudes towards doping in sport among an adolescent male sample.MethodsParticipants were 1148 male adolescents (age range 11-21 years) in Australia who completed a self-report questionnaire that measured weight change behaviors, supplement use, body dissatisfaction (Male Body Attitudes Scale; MBAS) and attitudes towards doping in sport (Performance Enhancing Attitudes Survey; PEAS).ResultsThere was a positive correlation between MBAS total and PEAS scores (r = .19, p < .001), indicating that the young men who were more dissatisfied with their bodies were more likely to support the use of doping in sport. Young men who were currently attempting weight loss or weight gain, and those currently consuming energy drinks (ηp2 = .01, p < .01) and vitamin/mineral supplements (ηp2 = .01, p < .01) were also significantly more supportive of doping in sport. However, those involved in weight lifting, and using protein powders were not (p > .05).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that body dissatisfaction, weight change behaviors, and supplement use are related to more lenient attitudes towards doping in sport among adolescent boys. Future research might examine whether combining educational content for the prevention of body dissatisfaction and the use of drugs in sport may have a greater preventive impact than current programs aimed at young men.

Gender-role conflict and men’s body satisfaction: The moderating role of age.

Recent studies have demonstrated that men’s body dissatisfaction is rising and that traditional masculine ideology may have a significant impact on the development of male body image concerns. However, the role of age in this relationship is not well understood. Thus, the present research sought to determine how body dissatisfaction might differ across age groups, and to examine the moderating role of age on gender role conflict and body dissatisfaction. Participants were 156 University of Canberra and Southern Cross Health Club men. Age categories included young adult (17 to 29 years), middle adulthood (30 to 49 years), and older adult (50 to 71 years). Participants completed the gender role conflict scale and the male body attitudes scale either online or in a hard-copy survey. Results revealed that younger men had higher levels of muscle and height dissatisfaction but that body-fat dissatisfaction was experienced similarly across the age categories. Additionally, age moderated the relationship between gender role conflict and muscle and body-fat dissatisfaction but did not moderate the relationship between gender role conflict and height dissatisfaction. These findings add to the limited literature on male body image and suggest that age and gender role conflict play an important role in the experience of male body dissatisfaction.

Psychometric properties of the Revised Male Body Attitudes Scale among Irish men

The psychometric properties of a revised version of the Male Body Attitudes Scale ( Tylka, Bergeron, & Schwartz, 2005) were investigated using two independent online samples of Irish men ( ns = 241 and 253, respectively). Exploratory factor analyses suggested that a 15-item, 3-factor solution representing men's attitudes toward their body fat, muscularity, and height best described the data. The internal consistency and construct validity of scores on the Revised Male Body Attitudes Scale suggest that this measure holds promise as an indicant of men's attitudes toward their physical appearance. Limitations and strengths associated with the current research are discussed and directions for future research are outlined.

The Male Body Attitudes Scale: A confirmatory factor analysis with a sample of gay men

The Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS; Tylka, Bergeron, & Schwartz, 2005) is a recently created instrument which assesses males’ attitudes regarding their muscularity, body fat, and height. Although the MBAS was created via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, its factor structure has yet to be replicated with more diverse samples. The aim of the current study was to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis of the MBAS with a sample of gay men. Results from an online sample of 207 self-identified gay men revealed that the original three-factor structure of the MBAS, as well as a two-factor structure, consisting of muscularity and body fat, displayed strong factorial validity. These findings suggest that either a two- or three-factor structure may be used when assessing body image concerns in gay men.

Are Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Related to Muscle Dysmorphia?

The present study examines how muscle dysmorphia (MD), a clinically significant preoccupation that one’s body is inadequately muscular, relates to trait anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. 97 college-age men completed the MD Inventory, the Drive for Muscularity Scale, the Male Body Attitudes Scale, the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, the trait scale of the Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory , and an abbreviated version of the Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Bivariate correlation analyses revealed that trait anxiety and obsessivecompulsive symptoms demonstrated strong relationships with both social physique anxiety and overall MD symptomology. Path analysis indicated that anxiety- related variables accounted for 77 percent of the variance in MD symptoms. The findings lend support to the assertion that MD should be placed within the obsessive- compulsive spectrum of disorders.

The Muscular ideal: psychological, social, and medical perspectives

The Muscular Ideal: Psychological, Social and Medical Perspectives edited by J. Kevin Thompson and G. Cafri. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2007, 265 pp. Thompson and Cafri have put together a collection of 12 monographs written by leading theorists and researchers in the field of body image. This collection is divided into five sections, each with its own focus: cultural, social, and psychological factors; definitions and measurements; medical issues, treatment, and prevention; special top-ics; and a conclusion. While the coverage of topics within the sections is sparse at times, as a whole, the collection is a worthwhile addition to the shelves of body image researchers. As the editors note in their Introduction to the book, the phenomena of the muscular ideal and male body image dissatisfaction are recent. Only in the last 20 years has having a muscular body become extremely important to men, so the history of this shift toward an ideal body image can be fairly accurately described. In addition, the last 20 years have seen the advent of muscle dysmorphia, a psychological disorder involving the desire for a muscular body coupled with a distortion of body image such that people with the disorder believe their bodies appear to them to be smaller than they actually are. The general focus of the book is factors influencing the origin of the muscular male body ideal and issues surrounding muscle dysmorphia. The first section deals with cultural, social, and psychological issues, and does an excellent job of setting the stage. Especially helpful is Chapter Two, by Lynne Luciano, which delineates the changes in ideal body image that have occurred in the United States. Also useful for both clinicians and researchers is Chapter One, by James Gray and Rebecca Ginsberg, which describes some of the factors that have contributed to the endorsement of the muscular ideal body image. These authors spend time discussing the muscular ideal in specific groups within the United States, but also consider cross-cultural findings related to the muscular ideal. The muscular ideal seems to be much more important in Western than in non-Western countries. Chapter Three describes bodybuilder culture, one to which few researchers are allowed access. The second section of the book deals with definitions and body measurements. Chapter Five, which is by the editors, provides a good overview of the measures of the muscular ideal. It is remarkably similar to an article the same authors published in Psychology of Men and Masculinity. Readers who are looking for more information on the topic of measurement will not find it here. In this section, the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) is highlighted. It is described in detail in Chapter Four by its creator, Donald McCreary. This measure is very useful, is psychometrically sound, and has appropriate research supporting its use. However, there are other measures that have been recently created, such as the Male Body Attitudes Scale, that are briefly mentioned but also deserve equal treatment. …