Body Satisfaction in Gym-active Males: An Exploration of Sexuality, Gender, and Narcissism

This study compared 80 gay and straight Australian males on self report measures of body satisfaction, masculinity, femininity, narcissism, and reasons for exercising at gyms to explore factors related to excessive exercise. Gay males are less satisfied with their bodies compared to straight males....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sex roles 2008-07, Vol.59 (1-2), p.94-106
Main Authors: Brown, Jac, Graham, Doug
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aesthetics
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Biological and medical sciences
Body Composition
Eating Disorders
Exercise
Females
Femininity
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gender Studies
Health clubs
Homosexuality
Human Body
Males
Masculinity
Medicine/Public Health
Men
Narcissism
Original Article
Personality disorders
Personality. Affectivity
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Resistance (Psychology)
Satisfaction
Self Concept
Self image
Self representation
Sex Role
Sexual orientation
Sexuality
Social psychology
Social role. Sex role
Sociology
Stereotypes
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Summary:This study compared 80 gay and straight Australian males on self report measures of body satisfaction, masculinity, femininity, narcissism, and reasons for exercising at gyms to explore factors related to excessive exercise. Gay males are less satisfied with their bodies compared to straight males. Improving appearance was more important for gay men, while fun was considered more important for straight men. Only sexual orientation and masculinity contributed independently to body satisfaction. Straight males who scored high on masculinity were most satisfied with their bodies, while gay males who scored low on masculinity were least satisfied with their bodies, irrespective of femininity and narcissism. Hours exercising per week and fun as a reason for exercising, significantly contributed to body satisfaction.
ISSN:0360-0025
1573-2762
DOI:10.1007/s11199-008-9416-4