Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to examine the ability of appearance related cognitions and muscularity perceptions to predict social physique anxiety (SPA) in male college students (N∈=∈98). Descriptive results indicate that participants experienced moderate SPA, and, in general, had a positive set of body image cognitions. Correlations reveal a large and significant relationship between SPA and appearance evaluation. Multiple regression results indicate that (after controlling for percent body fat and lean body mass) both appearance and muscularity related cognitions account for 60% of the variance in SPA. More specifically, based on the standardized beta weights, appearance evaluation and positive attributes of muscularity make the most significant contributions to predicting SPA. Our findings suggest that the recent heightened attention to the value of muscularity to young men should not cause practitioners or researchers to overlook the value that men place on global appearance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 151-158 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Sex Roles |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 3-4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2006 |
Keywords
- Appearance
- Body dissatisfaction
- Dysmorphia
- Fat
- Muscularity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gender Studies
- Social Psychology
- Developmental and Educational Psychology