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The effects of exposure to muscular male models amongst men who use the gym and non-exercisers: the moderating role of exercising to increase muscle strength
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 17:55 authored by Emma Halliwell, Helga Dittmar, Amber OrsbornThis study examines the effects of exposure to the muscular male body ideal on body-focused negative affect among male gym users and non-exercisers. As hypothesized, the impact of media exposure depended on men's exercise status. Non-exercisers (n = 58) reported greater body-focused negative affect after exposure to images of muscular male models than after neutral images (no model controls), whereas gym users (n = 58) showed a tendency for less body-focused negative affect after the model images than after the control images. Furthermore, the extent to which gym users were motivated to increase strength and muscularity moderated these exposure effects; men who reported stronger strength and muscularity exercise motivation reported a greater degree of self-enhancement after exposure to the muscular ideal. The findings are interpreted with respect to likely differences in motives for social comparisons.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Body ImageISSN
1740-1445Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Issue
3Volume
4Page range
278-287Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Notes
Co-authorFull text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes