Drive for thinness and drive for muscularity: opposite ends of the continuum or separate constructs?

The goal of this study was to examine whether the drive for thinness and the drive for muscularity occur concurrently among late adolescents and to understand the body attitudes associated with desiring a thinner and/or a more muscular physique. Participants included 235 college freshmen who partici...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Body image 2010-01, Vol.7 (1), p.74-77
Main Authors: Kelley, Courtney C Galliger, Neufeld, Jennie M, Musher-Eizenman, Dara R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Anxiety - diagnosis
Anxiety - psychology
Attitude
Body Composition
Body Dysmorphic Disorders - diagnosis
Body Dysmorphic Disorders - psychology
Body Image
Compulsive Behavior - diagnosis
Compulsive Behavior - psychology
Drive
Eating
Female
Gender Identity
Humans
Male
Muscle Strength
Personality Inventory - statistics & numerical data
Psychometrics
Self Concept
Thinness - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:The goal of this study was to examine whether the drive for thinness and the drive for muscularity occur concurrently among late adolescents and to understand the body attitudes associated with desiring a thinner and/or a more muscular physique. Participants included 235 college freshmen who participated in a larger study of body image and eating attitudes. The majority of individuals reported having both a high drive for thinness and a high drive for muscularity (65.4%). Additionally, the presence of both drives significantly predicted body compulsivity and body anxiety among females, and body-esteem among males. Results of the current study provide considerable evidence that a drive for thinness and a drive for muscularity are not mutually exclusive. Furthermore, the degree to which an individual strives for thinness and/or muscularity has differential effects on their body attitudes.
ISSN:1740-1445
1873-6807
DOI:10.1016/j.bodyim.2009.09.008