Bedeutung von Instagram und Fitspiration-Bildern für die muskeldysmorphe Symptomatik

Abstract

Background: The male body ideal differs from the female ideal because males strive for a strong and muscular physique. This study investigated how far the use of Instagram predicts the drive for muscularity and muscle dysmorphia in men. The second aim was to test whether relevant mediators influence the relationships in a random sample of men. Material and methods: Exercising men (n = 203) who were using Instagram participated in the questionnaire-based survey. Besides the extent of general Instagram use and specific use of Fitspiration images, the drive for muscularity, extent of muscle dysmorphia symptoms, the internalization of the media beauty ideal and the tendency towards appearance-based comparisons were assessed. Results: Group comparisons indicated differences between men who were additionally doing ball sports to those who were only doing body-building. The internalization of the media beauty ideal mediated the relationship between general and specific Instagram use and the drive for muscularity as well as the extent of symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. Conclusion: The results showed a relationship between Instagram use and facets of the male body image. They further emphasized the importance of the internalization of the media beauty ideal when using social media. Men practicing body-building showed a higher self-reported risk for symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. Using social media could constitute a maintaining function in a muscle dysmorphic disorder.