Relationships Muscle Dysmorphia has with Indices of Sexual Self-esteem.

Objective: The objective of the current study was to examine the relationships muscle dysmorphia characteristics have with genital satisfaction, sexual self-esteem, sexual depression, and sexual preoccupation in active young adult males. Design: A quantitative survey was undertaken with young adult males who reported they participated in sport or exercise activities to at least the minimum level needed to obtain health benefits. Method: After providing written informed consent, 79 physically active male students (mean age = 20.32, SD = 4.73, years) enrolled in sport and exercise qualifications completed the muscle dysmorphia disorder inventory, the male genital image scale, and the sexuality scale. The muscle dysmorphia disorder inventory measures drive for size, functional impairment, and appearance intolerance. The male genital image scale measures one’s genital satisfaction. The sexuality scale measures sexual self-esteem, sexual depression, and sexual preoccupation. Participants also completed a demographic questionnaire self-reporting their physical activity levels. Results: Pearson correlations coefficients were used to assess relationships and alpha was set at 0.05. The weekly frequency of weight training was correlated with drive for size (.33) and functional impairment (.32). Appearance intolerance was negatively correlated with genital satisfaction (-.40) and sexual depression (-.22) and positively related with sexual self-esteem (.23). Functional impairment had a negative relationship with sexual depression (.29). These results provide initial evidence muscle dysmorphia characteristics among active males may be related with genital satisfaction and sexual esteem, depression, and preoccupation.