The Impact of Social Media Exposure and Engagement on Body Image Perceptions in Sexual Minority Men
Faculty Mentor
Caroline Clauss-Ehlers
Major/Area of Research
Body Image, Sexual Orientation, Social Media
Description
The present study examined the impact that social media has on body image perception and dissatisfaction on sexual minority men. Emerging research suggests that sexual minority men are more likely to experience body image dissatisfaction and adverse health impacts than heterosexual men due to amplified focus on body image within the gay community (Doyle et al., 2014). Furthermore, research continues to show strong correlations between portrayals of idealized masculinity in the media to increases in body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and body dysmorphic disorder amongst sexual minority men (Leit et al., 2002). While much research has been done on the impact of social media on body image for women, little research has been conducted on impact on sexual minority men. This study aims to bridge that gap by recruiting a sample of 52 sexual minority male participants and 51 heterosexual male participants to complete the Social Media Use Integration Scale (Jenkins- Guarnieri et al., 2013), and the Male Body Attitudes Scale (Tylka et al., 2005) to evaluate participants’ views and experiences on how exposure to social media potentially impacts their body image perception and satisfaction. A moderation model was used to examine the impact of social media exposure on body image perceptions between heterosexual and sexual minority participants. Results demonstrated that the model was significant and accounted for 27.7% of the variance in negative body image perceptions in sexual minority men. This indicated that sexual minority male participants experience exacerbated negative body image as a result of social media exposure and engagement.
The Impact of Social Media Exposure and Engagement on Body Image Perceptions in Sexual Minority Men
The present study examined the impact that social media has on body image perception and dissatisfaction on sexual minority men. Emerging research suggests that sexual minority men are more likely to experience body image dissatisfaction and adverse health impacts than heterosexual men due to amplified focus on body image within the gay community (Doyle et al., 2014). Furthermore, research continues to show strong correlations between portrayals of idealized masculinity in the media to increases in body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and body dysmorphic disorder amongst sexual minority men (Leit et al., 2002). While much research has been done on the impact of social media on body image for women, little research has been conducted on impact on sexual minority men. This study aims to bridge that gap by recruiting a sample of 52 sexual minority male participants and 51 heterosexual male participants to complete the Social Media Use Integration Scale (Jenkins- Guarnieri et al., 2013), and the Male Body Attitudes Scale (Tylka et al., 2005) to evaluate participants’ views and experiences on how exposure to social media potentially impacts their body image perception and satisfaction. A moderation model was used to examine the impact of social media exposure on body image perceptions between heterosexual and sexual minority participants. Results demonstrated that the model was significant and accounted for 27.7% of the variance in negative body image perceptions in sexual minority men. This indicated that sexual minority male participants experience exacerbated negative body image as a result of social media exposure and engagement.