scholarly journals The communication and psychology of identity on mobile dating apps for men who have sex with men

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Brandon Miller

The present study investigated the use of mobile dating apps for men who have sex with men (MSM), the privileging of masculinity in these online spaces, and related effects on attitudes about masculinity, the body, and the self. Using self-categorization theory as a framework, the study explored how men infuse masculinity/femininity and body language into their profiles in order to create symbolic boundaries between a masculine in-group and a feminine out-group, in the process further promoting an in-group bias for masculine partners. Findings indicated a clear preference for masculinity, both generally and in the form of the muscular male body. Drawing on selective self-presentation and the online disinhibition effect, the current work also investigated howpatterns of usage and personal attitudes impact photographic self-presentation, how the presence of face-disclosing and/or shirtless photos impact the use of language, and how visual self-presentation is related to demographic and attitudinal variables. The results indicated a connection between outness and face-disclosure, as well as between the amount of usage of MSM-specific mobile dating apps and face-disclosure. Men’s use of shirtless photos was significantly related to age, self-perceived masculinity, antieffeminacy attitudes, and drive for muscularity. Finally, priming theory was used to examine the relationship between MSM-specific mobile dating app usage and attitudes about men’s own and others’ masculinity/femininity and their bodies, as well as feelings of esteem and connectedness. Findings indicated connections between usage and self-perceived masculinity, internalized homonegativity, collective self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction, as well as social connectedness and anti-effeminacy attitudes for some men. Age, race, relationship status, education level, geographic location, and outness all served as important moderators. Constructions of gay masculinity have been associated with many issues, including risky sexual behavior, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, lowered self-esteem, and racism. The current research advances our understanding of how MSM engage with masculinity/femininity and body language in a new media context, as well as the relationship between usage of MSM-specific mobile dating apps, psychosocial attitudes, personal feelings of esteem and connectedness, and photographic self-presentation strategies.

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Miller

Scholars have noted that men who have sex with men (MSM) place value upon hegemonic masculinity, both in reference to the self as well as potential partners. The current study examined masculinity language, body language, and sports/working out language in MSM-specific mobile dating app profiles. Using selective self-presentation and self-categorization theory as a background, the current work uncovered a clear privileging of masculinity and a focus on the male body in participants’ profile language directed at the self and others. Men who used body language in their profiles were more likely to be older, single, and North American, while men who used sports/working out language were more likely to be college graduates from North America. Finally, the results indicated a connection between language regarding masculinity, the body, and sports/working out.


2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Brannan ◽  
Trent A. Petrie ◽  
Christy Greenleaf ◽  
Justine Reel ◽  
Jennifer Carter

In this study, we extended past research (Brannan & Petrie, 2008; Tylka, 2004) by examining perfectionism, optimism, self-esteem, and reasons for exercising as moderators of the body dissatisfaction-bulimic symptoms relationship among female collegiate athletes (N= 204). Hierarchical moderated regression was used to control for social desirability and physical size and then tested the main and interactive effects of the models. Body dissatisfaction was related to the measure of bulimic symptoms, accounting for 24% of the variance. Four variables were statistically significant as moderators. More concern over mistakes and being motivated to exercise to improve appearance and attractiveness or to socialize and improve mood increased the strength of the relationship between body dissatisfaction and bulimic symptoms. Self-esteem had a buffering effect that resulted in a weakened relationship.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052199458
Author(s):  
Yolima Bolívar-Suárez ◽  
Jorge Arturo Martínez Gómez ◽  
Libia Yanelli Yanez-Peñúñuri ◽  
César Armando Rey Anacona ◽  
Ana Milena Gaviria Gómez

Two objectives were formulated. The first was to establish whether characteristics such as self-esteem, perception of body image, and dating perpetration explain dating victimization. The second was to check if sex moderates the relationship between low self-esteem and dissatisfaction and if body dissatisfaction mediates the effect of low self-esteem on being a victim of dating violence (DV). A total of 1,409 Colombian adolescents and young adults, secondary and university students (42.5% men and 57.5% women), aged between 14 and 25 years ( M = 18.6 years; SD = 2.8 years) participated. An explanatory correlational design was used, in which the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire, and the Revised Dating Violence Questionnaire were applied. Six regression models were proposed for both men and women, where it was found that low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and violence exerted in the courtship explain the violence received. Also, through the moderated mediation analysis, a moderate conditional indirect effect was verified of low self-esteem in DV victimization (R2 = 0.052***) through body dissatisfaction, being higher in women than in men. The preceding points to the convenience of intervening on self-esteem and body image in adolescents and young victims of this type of violence and considering these aspects in prevention campaigns.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-168
Author(s):  
Roberta Biolcati

Background: Self-esteem is a critical factor in online impression management strategies and could play a crucial role in explaining women’s selfie-posting behaviours. Previous works examining relationships between self-esteem and self-presentation on social media have yielded controversial results. Objective: This study was performed to clarify the relationship between self-esteem and the frequency of taking and posting own, group and partner selfies on Social Networking Sites (SNS). Methods: A sample of 692 Italian young women (18-28 years old) completed questionnaires on self-esteem, satisfaction with life, body satisfaction and selfie posting bahaviours. The low self-esteem group was compared with the high self-esteem group. Results: Results showed that women with low self-esteem are more dissatisfied with their body image and life and significantly they post fewer types of selfies compared to women with high self-esteem. Conclusion: Findings from this study provide new insights into the relation between self-esteem and selfie impression management strategies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1746-1758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aslı Devrim ◽  
Pelin Bilgic ◽  
Nobuko Hongu

Bodybuilding has increasingly become popular between males since male body shape has become a subject of interest in the last decades. Bodybuilders have desired to gain more muscle and paid attention to their body shape. Based on this purpose, they have string rules that include restrictive eating and excessive exercise program. Recent research has demonstrated that desiring more muscular body shape exhibits eating behavior problems and body dissatisfaction issues in bodybuilders. Limited research exists on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and eating disorders in male bodybuilders. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between body image disturbance and eating disorders in 120 male bodybuilders. The Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40) was used to determine eating disorders, the Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder Inventory was used to determine bigorexia symptoms, and Bodybuilder Image Grid-Original (BIG O) and Scaled (BIG S) forms were used to detect the factors associated with body dissatisfaction. There was a positive relationship between Eating Attitude Test and Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder Inventory total scores. Eating Attitude Test was positively correlated with both fat and muscle dissatisfaction. Our results indicated that eating disorder psychopathology is positively related to body dissatisfaction and body dysmorphic disorders in male bodybuilders.


2009 ◽  
pp. 69-84
Author(s):  
Amanda Nerini

- The present study analyses the relation among media influence, self esteem and body dissatisfaction in a group of preadolescent boys and girls. 243 preadolescents with the mean age of 12 were involved. The group consisted of 127 boys and 116 girls. They were asked to complete the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3; Thompson et al., 2004), the Body Shape Questionnaire (Dowson e Henderson, 2001) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). Preadolescent females reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction than preadolescent males. They also scored higher in three SATAQ-3 subscales: whether media are important source of information about being attractive, internalization of a media thin ideal and perceived media pressures to be thin. Body mass index and internalization of a thin ideal emerged as significant predictors of body dissatisfaction for both sexes. Perceived media pressures predict body dissatisfaction only among girls.Key words: media influence, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, preadolescenceParole chiave: influenza dei media, autostima, insoddisfazione corporea, preadolescenza.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karyofyllis Zervoulis ◽  
Evanthia Lyons ◽  
Sokratis Dinos

Aims and methodThe relationship between homophobia (varying from actual and perceived to internalised) and measures of well-being is well documented. A study in Athens, Greece and London, UK attempted to examine this relationship in two cities with potentially different levels of homophobia. One-hundred and eighty-eight men who have sex with men (MSM) living in London and 173 MSM living in Athens completed a survey investigating their views on their sexuality, perceptions of local homophobia and their identity evaluation in terms of global self-esteem.ResultsThe results confirmed a negative association between homophobia and self-esteem within each city sample. However, Athens MSM, despite perceiving significantly higher levels of local homophobia than London MSM, did not differ on most indicators of internalised homophobia and scored higher on global self-esteem than London MSM. The city context had a significant impact on the relationship.Clinical implicationsThe findings are discussed in relation to the implications they pose for mental health professionals dealing with MSM from communities experiencing variable societal stigmatisation and its effect on a positive sense of self.


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