Chasing the muscle ideal : the relationship between the internalization of media ideals and the drive for muscularity

Abstract

Background: Although self-objectification theory has been applied to men, it has yielded mixed results. Self-objectification is linked to a range of negative psychological outcomes including body esteem problems. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the internalisation of media ideals, self-objectification, body surveillance, body shame and the drive for muscularity in South African adult men and to determine if self-objectification mediates the association between the internalisation of media ideals and the drive for muscularity. Participants and Settings: The participants included 227 adult men between 18 and 63 years of age (Mean age = 35.38; SD = 13.60). The participants completed questionnaires to assess their the internalisation of media ideals, body shame, body surveillance and drive for muscularity. Methods: Zero-order correlation analysis was computed to examine the association between the internalisation of media ideals, self-objectification, body surveillance, body shame and the drive for muscularity. In addition, linear regression analysis was performed to examine the self-objectification mediated association between the internalisation of media ideals and the drive for muscularity. Results: The results revealed that the participants’ internalisation of media ideals was significantly associated with their self-objectification, body surveillance and the drive for muscularity but not body shame. Self-objectification partially mediated the relationship between the internalisation of media ideals and drive for muscularity. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated initial evidence that objectification theory is an appropriate theoretical lens that can be employed to explain the drive for muscularity and body image concerns in South African men.