Bigger is better? Understanding body - image dissatisfaction in male students with high drive for muscularity

Jones, Rhiannon (2011) Bigger is better? Understanding body - image dissatisfaction in male students with high drive for muscularity. University of Aberystwyth.

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Abstract

Much past research has been conducted in terms of exploration of body – image dissatisfaction in females (Hargreaves & Tiggemann, 2009; Schwartz, Grammas, Sutherland, Siffert & Bush-King, 2010; Greenberg & Schoen, 2008). The purpose of this study was to explore what factors influence male athletes’ drive for muscularity which in extreme cases of dissatisfaction can lead to Muscle Dysmorphia. Study 1 consisted of a validation of McCreary and Sasse’s (2000) Drive for Muscularity Questionnaire by distributing the scale to a convenience sample of 132 undergraduates studying sports science which demonstrated significant reliability and internal consistency. In Study 2, a qualitative research design using semi – structured interviews of the lowest scoring (high drive for muscularity) undergraduates from Study 1 was conducted. Transcribes were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four superordinate themes were produced; Physique – Enhancing Behaviours, Sociocultural Influences, Physique Dissatisfaction and Exercise Participation. Themes were compared with Tod & Lavallee’s (2009) conceptual framework of Muscle Dysmorphia Development and Sustainment during which it was corroborated that MD likely stems from an interaction between sociocultural and interpersonal influences, rather than stemming from one identifiable source.