Exposure to idealized body images in the media and its relationship to body image, body satisfaction, and self-esteem in male Lebanese University students

Abstract

Many studies regarding the relationship between media, body image, and body satisfaction have been conducted on female participants, but not as many were done with males. This gap in knowledge has limited our understanding of related phenomena in men. The present correlational study, conducted with 173 Lebanese males from different universities in Lebanon, examined the relationship between media exposure, internalization of muscular/athletic body ideals, body image, body satisfaction, and selfesteem. These variables were measured with the following instruments: Contour Drawing Rating Scale, Body Esteem Scale, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4; moreover, a demographic data questionnaire was used to collect pertinent demographic information. Consistent with the study hypothesis, significant correlations were found between body image and body esteem, body image and internalization of the muscular/athletic body ideal, body esteem and self-esteem, body esteem and pressure from media on appearance. These findings support the argument that body esteem and media pressure are closely associated, and that internalization of body ideals is associated with body satisfaction and dissatisfaction in males.