The Relationship Between Social Media, Body Dissatisfaction and Exercise Behavior of Males

Ciorra, Alex

The Relationship Between Social Media, Body Dissatisfaction and Exercise Behavior of Males

Persistent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/10456/41455

Author(s)

Ciorra, Alex

Date Issued

April 4, 2016

Abstract

Body dissatisfaction research has placed large emphasis on the female body but recent studies have discovered evidence of male body dissatisfaction as well. The current study examined the relationship between body dissatisfaction, social media usage related to fitness and exercise behavior. Past research found that males who experienced exposure to the ideal male body image also showed higher body dissatisfaction compared to individuals who were not exposed, providing a plausible link between fitness related social media and body dissatisfaction. Those two measures were represented by the Revised Male Body Attitudes Scale and self-reported average number of hours per week spent using social media to view fitness related material, respectively. The dependent variable of the study was exercise behavior and measured by the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire. Although past research has shown relationships between exposure to the ideal male body image and exercise and body dissatisfaction among participants, multiple regression analysis did not indicate any significant results. However, a main effect between social media usage and body dissatisfaction was present among the participants.

Major

Psychology

First Reader(s)

Paulson, Lauren R.