In this study, we investigated key tenets of objectification theory, a prominent model of body image disturbance, as it relates to trans women’s disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections—a specific health risk for this population. We also incorporated appearance congruence, or the degree to which an individual personally feels that their gender expression matches their gender identity, into the objectification theory model. Results of a structural equation model using data from a sample of 173 trans women from the United States indicated that the basic objectification theory model held among this sample and that appearance congruence was associated negatively with body surveillance. However, appearance congruence did not have significant direct or indirect links (via body surveillance and body shame) with disordered eating or intention to obtain silicone injections. Thus, disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections are potential negative outcomes of the process of objectification among trans women, and appearance congruence does not appear to be uniquely linked to health risks associated with internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, and body shame. Our findings support the application of the tenets of objectification theory with trans women as they apply to disordered eating and intention to obtain silicone injections and also indicate the need to identify other positive influences on trans women’s body image to counteract internalization of cultural standards of attractiveness.

Citation network analysis is a powerful tool to understand a research area. Citation networks differ from traditional content analyses in that, instead of coding articles based on declared features, citation network analysis groups articles into clusters based on citations, representing how the field is constructed by its scholars and how areas of work coalesce or diverge. This approach allows for examination of emergent rather than declared topic areas and assessment of interrelatedness of content areas. Further, citation network analyses can be augmented through integration of other data, such as patterns of collaboration or grant funding. The present study undertook a citation network analysis of research published within Psychology of Men and Masculinity (PMM), augmented with a coauthorship network and an analysis of grant funding for research within PMM. The citation network analysis suggested dominant domains (e.g., gender role norms and body image) and smaller domains (e.g., fatherhood) of focus in PMM. Analysis of the network suggests areas for development of novel work, and analysis of individual clusters suggests how topic areas have shifted in emphasis over time. The coauthorship network indicates scholars who are prolific collaborators in PMM publications. Finally, integration of grant funding data was used to demonstrate which clusters of research have generated grant funding and can help to guide topic areas toward fundability. The present analysis offers an updated view of the state of research in PMM and may be useful to scholars in the field of men and masculinities in planning research, collaborations, and grant applications.