Examination of Actual and Ideal Body-Related Characteristics and Body-Related Pride in Adult Males

Abstract

Body image concerns are becoming more prevalent in males. Discrepancies between actual and ideal body muscularity and thinness have been studied from a pathological perspective whereby perceiving the body as discrepant from an internalized ideal is associated with body dissatisfaction, negative emotions, and harmful body-altering behaviors. It is unclear if agreement among actual and ideal self-perceptions is associated with positive emotion in males. The present study examined the associations between actual and ideal congruence and discrepancies in muscularity and thinness, and two facets of pride (i.e., authentic and hubristic pride) in male adults. Participants ( n = 294; Mage = 34.80 years; MBMI = 27.31 kg/m2) completed a cross-sectional self-report survey. Results from polynomial regressions indicated that actual and ideal self-perceptions of muscularity and thinness were significant predictors of both authentic ( R2 = .37 and .20) and hubristic pride ( R2 = .33 and .19), respectively. Response surface values demonstrated that extremely high or low scores that were congruent for muscularity ( a2 = .35 and .40) and thinness ( a2 = .18 and .18) perceptions were associated with higher reports of authentic and hubristic pride. These findings demonstrated that congruence in actual and ideal self-perceptions contribute to feelings of pride, suggesting interventions that promote actual and ideal self-perception congruence may be important for fostering positive emotional experiences in males.

Body-related shame and authentic pride are independently associated with self-rated health in young adults

“…35 We conducted gender-stratified analyses in part because males are rarely studied in this realm of research, and in part because of documented differences in body shame 19 and perceived health 36 across gender. Consistent with theoretical tenets, 13,18,31 we hypothesized that higher body shame and lower body pride are associated with lower self-rated health and mental health in both females and males.…”

“…being proud of efforts to maintain one's appearance). 17,31 Being higher-weight 19 and perceiving a discrepancy between actual and idealized weight are associated with lower body pride in men and women. 21,31 Since perceived acceptance by others fosters positive body emotions, 32 socially perpetuated strict body ideals and ingrained biases against higher-weight bodies may diminish feelings of body pride through a lack of acceptance by others or perceived deviation from the societal ideal.…”

“…17,31 Being higher-weight 19 and perceiving a discrepancy between actual and idealized weight are associated with lower body pride in men and women. 21,31 Since perceived acceptance by others fosters positive body emotions, 32 socially perpetuated strict body ideals and ingrained biases against higher-weight bodies may diminish feelings of body pride through a lack of acceptance by others or perceived deviation from the societal ideal. 18 Higher body pride is associated with higher selfesteem, flourishing, and lower depressive, anxiety and disordered eating symptoms, 24,33 and higher engagement in positive health behaviours.…”

Honte et fierté authentique à l’égard de son corps associées de manière indépendante à l’état de santé autoévalué chez les jeunes adultes

“…La fierté corporelle authentique (ciaprès appelée « fierté cor porelle ») est une émotion à valence posi tive liée à la conscience du corps qui se manifeste lorsqu'une personne attribue une réalisation positive à ses propres efforts 17,18 . Il peut s'agir d'efforts qui ont permis à la personne d'atteindre un idéal personnel ou sociétal en ce qui concerne son apparence physique perçue (par exemple, être fier des efforts déployés pour maintenir son apparence) 17,31 .…”