Health or appearance? : reasons for exercise, body image and self-esteem in males

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Psychology
Degree name
Master of Arts
Publisher
University of Canterbury
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
1996
Authors
Randal, Adrian
Abstract

Research on body image and its correlates has, until recently, focused predominantly upon women. Particularly lacking in the area of male body image research are studies that are qualitative in their approach. This research utilised methodological triangulation. The qualitative methodology, discourse analysis, examined the experiences of thirty mainly Paheka men, who were between the ages of 22 and 35, with regards to such issues as: the effect of exercise and sport involvement; eating behaviour/ and attitudes; body size/shape; the impact of the opinion of others. The results of the qualitative analysis were broadly consistent with previous research on the body image perceptions of men, and centered around: the definition of the ideal body; sites of body dissatisfaction; the relation of body image to selfesteem; the role of body image and exercise in male identity development in the wider social context. The quantitative component compared the reasons for exercise, self-esteem and body satisfaction in 80 men, 40 exercising and 40 sedentary. The quantitative results were in agreement of the qualitative results: a majority of men (80%) reported body dissatisfaction; self-esteem was positively correlated with body satisfaction; the most important reasons for exercise were health and attractiveness. The only significant finding being 'body focus' greater in exercising men than the non-exercising men. How this study fits into the growing volume of knowledge on male body image is considered, as are the implications of the research findings before directions for possible future research are presented.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Body image, Self-esteem, Men--Health and hygiene, Men--Psychology
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
All Rights Reserved