Muscle dysmorphia predictors among sexual and gender minority Brazilian men

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate predictors of muscle dysmorphia in sexual and gender minority Brazilian men and to describe community norms for the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI), an instrument for assessing muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 1.444 sexual and gender minority Brazilian men, with ages between 18 and 50 years. By means of an on-line survey the participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, as well as muscle dysmorphia symptoms, drive for muscularity, appearance-ideal internalization, and self-objectification measures. Descriptive and correlation (Spearman’s rho) analysis were performed among the study vari-ables, in addition to a multiple linear regression analysis (stepwise forward) to evaluate predictors of muscle dysmorphia. Results: A positive and significant association of large magnitude was observed among muscle dysmorphia symptoms, drive for muscularity, appearance-ideal internalization, and self-objectification. Multiple linear regression showed that all these variables are predictors of muscle dysmorphia symptoms in sexual and gender minority Brazilian men. Conclusions: Sexual and gender minority Brazilian men present high risk for muscle dysmorphia. Muscle dysmorphia symptoms were associated with drive for muscularity, appearance-ideal internalization, and self-objectification, show-ing that they are predictors of muscle dysmorphia. Interventions should target this population, consid-ering the need to create strategies to reduce muscle dysmorphia symptoms, the drive for muscularity, appearance-ideal internalization, and self-objectification.