Reasons for Exercise and Body Esteem: Men's Responses to Self-Objectification

Abstract

In this study, we applied the construct of self-objectification to men, specifically to examine the role of reasons for exercise in men's responses to objectification. A questionnaire that assessed self-objectification, reasons for exercise, body esteem, and self-esteem was voluntarily completed by 153 Australian participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years (82 men and a comparison group of 71 women). Self-objectification and appearance-related reasons for exercise were significantly negatively related to body esteem for both men and women. Self-objectification was also positively related to appearance-related reasons for exercise. The latter was found to mediate the relationship between self-objectification and body esteem for both men and women. Men were just as likely as women to exercise for appearance-related reasons. Together, the results suggest that objectification may be sensibly applied to men and that exercising for appearance-related reasons appears to exacerbate the negative impact that self-objectification has on both men's and women's esteem.

Body Concerns In and Out of the Bedroom: Implications for Sexual Pleasure and Problems

“…These findings for men were also consistent with recent research, which has demonstrated negative consequences of idealized physical images and appearance concerns for both men and women (Aubrey, 2006;Baird & Grieve, 2006;Harrison & Cantor, 1997;Labre, 2005;Lavine et al, 1999;McKinley, 1998;Morry & Staska, 2001;Strelan & Hargreaves, 2005). As the objectification of men increases, it will become increasingly important to identify the potential consequences of men's growing appearance concerns.…”

“…Although Fredrickson et al (1998) failed to find the effects of self-objectification on men, recent studies suggest that, exposure to idealized images of male bodies heighten men's body dissatisfaction (Aubrey, 2006;Baird & Grieve, 2006;Harrison & Cantor, 1997;Labre, 2005;Lavine, Sweeney, & Wagner, 1999;Morry & Staska, 2001). Moreover, men's, as well as women's, self-objectification predicted greater symptoms of disordered eating, body shame, appearance-related reasons for exercise, as well lower global self-esteem and lower body esteem (McKinley, 1998;Morry & Staska, 2001;Strelan & Hargreaves, 2005). Thus, as with women, men's tendency to self-objectify may have consequences for psychological well-being and affective evaluations of the body.…”

An Examination of Social Physique Anxiety with Regard to Sex and Level of Sport Involvement

“…Exercising for weight control, body tone, and attractiveness have increased body dissatisfaction, disturbed eating, and lower body-esteem in women. In contrast, functional reasons for exercise, such as health, enjoyment, or fitness have been associated with increased self-esteem and body esteem, as well as lower levels of body dissatisfaction (e.g., McDonald & Thompson, 1992;Tiggemann & Williamson, 2000;Strelan & Hargreaves, 2005).…”

Predictors of Drive for Muscularity Among Adolescent Males

“…Objectification theory proposes that selfobjectification leads to increased experiences of shame and, in particular, shame about one's body. Although the aforementioned theory was developed primarily to explain the process of objectification of females' bodies, recent research shows that this theoretical framework is becoming increasingly relevant to males (Frederick et al, 2007a;Strelan & Hargreaves, 2005). Males' bodies are exposed to media representations of powerful and muscular male bodies (e.g., Frederick, Fessler, & Haselton, 2005) and scrutinized by women or by other men.…”