Sexuality and the drive for muscularity: evidence of associations among British men

Swami V 1 , Diwell R 2 , McCreary DR 3

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK; Department of Psychology, HELP University College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: v.swami@westminster.ac.uk
  • 2 Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK
  • 3 Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Body Image, 2014 Sep;11(4):543-6.
PMID: 25201097 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.08.008

Abstract

Previous studies have documented associations between sexuality and body image, but the directionality of this association is unclear among men. This study examined whether men's drive for muscularity can be considered a correlate of their sexuality. A community-based sample of 292 heterosexual men from London, UK, completed a survey consisting of measures of drive for muscularity, sociosexuality, sexual assertiveness, sexual esteem, and sexual sensation seeking. A multiple regression analysis showed that greater drive for muscularity was predicted by more unrestricted sociosexuality (i.e., a greater proclivity for short-term, transient relationships), greater sexual sensation seeking, and greater sexual assertiveness, once the effects of participant age and body mass index had been accounted for. Possible avenues for intervention based on a sex-positive approach are discussed in conclusion.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications