Drive for Muscularity in Male Adolescents: The Role of Psychological Factors (Self-Esteem, Maladaptive Perfectionism, and Interpersonal Sensitivity)

Abstract

Background: Concerns about body image among male adolescents has become increasingly prevalent, leading to a need for muscularity. It is well known that psychological factors play a role in the development of these concerns. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to predict the drive for muscularity based on psychological factors, including self-esteem, maladaptive perfectionism, and interpersonal sensitivity. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019. Using a convenience sampling method, 150 adolescent male students from district 14 of Tehran, Iran, were selected to participate in the study. Data was collected by utilizing the following measures: drive for Muscularity scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, Almost Perfect scale-revised, and Interpersonal Sensitivity measure. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the Enter Regression method. Results: High scores in the Drive for Muscularity scale were significantly associated with higher levels of maladaptive perfectionism, interpersonal sensitivity, and lower levels of self-esteem. Moreover, the results of the multiple regression analysis revealed that predivariables could explain 52% in the variance of the drive for muscularity. Conclusions: Findings indicated that the psychological factors investigated in this study were risk factors for masculinity among adolescents. We suggest that clinicians take these factors into account in order to make preventive and therapeutic programs more effective.