The Influence Of Drug Use, Exercise, And Sexual Orientation On Body Image Concerns In Men

Studies of body image concerns in men have largely neglected the influence that these concerns may have on the day-to-day social, professional and emotional lives of this group. Using quantitative data collection methods, the present study sought to measure the day-to-day body image concerns in a general population sample of men located in Sydney, Australia and how these may be affected by men’s legal and illegal drug use, exercise patterns, and sexual orientation. Two hundred and thirty one males comprised the final sample that participated in the study. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Adonis Complex Questionnaire, the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire and a modified version of the University of Michigan Weightlifter’s Survey, as well as a demographic and sexual orientation questionnaire. A second study was conducted in which participants completed the Adonis Complex Questionnaire and the Drive for Muscularity Scale. The present study highlights that body image concerns may have serious impact on the lives of the men who are afflicted by them. Substance use, exercise, and sexual orientation are factors which have influenced how men see their bodies, and in turn, how they may be affected by the perceived discrepancies between the bodies they would like to have and the bodies they believe they currently have. Future research may well investigate how body image concerns impacts the daily lives of men.