A large body of knowledge already exists on muscle dysmorphia. However, the results are limited to studies with male bodybuilders and competitive weightlifters. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have pointed out limitations in several studies in which muscle dysmorphia symptoms are not assessed by valid and reliable instruments. Thus, this study aimed to describe the translation and cultural adaptation of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) to Brazilian Portuguese and to evaluate its psychometric properties when applied to a total of 351 physically active Brazilian college men. Confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, estimated internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the MDDI scores were examined. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis upheld the original 3-factor structure (13 items) of the MDDI for Brazilian men. The MDDI scores presented a significant moderate association with male body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity. A significant small association was observed between MDDI scores and depressive symptoms and exercise dependence. Adequate internal consistency and 2-week test-retest reliability were found. The Brazilian version of MDDI showed adequate psychometric properties among physically active college men.
Public Significance StatementThe Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory is a valid and reliable tool that is capable to measure muscle dysmorphia symptoms in physically active Brazilian college men. The Brazilian version of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory could be used by researchers and clinicians to aid information regarding muscle dysmorphia etiology, prevalence, nosology, prognosis, and treatment.
Objective
Few prevention programs have been developed and empirically evaluated to address eating disorder (ED) and muscle dysmorphia (MD) symptoms in men. Furthermore, new strategies for the broad implementation of available programs are needed. We investigated the acceptability and efficacy of a dissonance‐based (DB) intervention for Brazilian undergraduate men with body dissatisfaction to target risk and protective factors for ED and MD symptoms (the Body Project: More Than Muscles) after an online training for facilitators.
Method
Participants were randomized to a two‐session DB‐intervention (n = 89) or assessment‐only control (AOC) (n = 91), and completed validated measures assessing ED and MD risk and protective factors pre‐intervention, post‐intervention, and at 4‐ and 24‐week follow‐up post‐intervention.
Results
Acceptability ratings were highly favorable. Regarding efficacy, the DB condition demonstrated significantly greater decreases in ED and MD risk factors compared to AOC from pre‐intervention to 4‐week (p‐values <.05, between‐condition Cohen's d = 0.35–1.10) and 24‐week follow‐up (p‐values <.05, between‐condition Cohen's d = 0.33–0.78). Results at post‐intervention were not significant, with the exception that body appreciation showed significantly greater improvements in the DB condition (post‐intervention: p < .01, between‐condition Cohen's d = 0.40; 4‐week: p < .001, between‐condition Cohen's d = 0.80; and 24‐week follow‐up: p < .001, between‐condition Cohen's d = 0.58).
Discussion
Results support the acceptability and efficacy of a DB‐intervention delivered in‐person after an online training for facilitators up to 24‐week follow‐up in Brazilian men.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.