The direct effects of manipulating body checking in men

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Body Image Research

Background:

• Body checking, a behavior involving repetitive self-monitoring of one's body, is prevalent among men.
• Existing research has explored its impact on body image, but experimental designs differentiating attentional focus are less common.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally investigate the effects of high versus low body checking on men's state body image and muscle dissatisfaction.
• To determine if attentional focus during body checking influences immediate and delayed outcomes.

Main Methods:

• 234 male undergraduates were randomly assigned to either a high body checking group (focus on disliked parts) or a low body checking group (focus on the whole body neutrally).
• State body image satisfaction and muscle dissatisfaction were measured immediately after the procedure and after a 10-minute delay.

Main Results:

• Contrary to hypotheses, body image satisfaction significantly decreased in both groups immediately after the procedure and remained low after a delay.
• Muscle dissatisfaction did not change immediately but significantly increased in both groups after the 10-minute delay.
• The method of body examination (high vs. low checking) did not differentially affect outcomes.

Conclusions:

• A single session of mirror exposure, regardless of attentional focus, negatively impacts men's body image satisfaction.
• Body checking behaviors can lead to delayed increases in muscle dissatisfaction among men.
• Interventions should address the detrimental effects of body checking on male body image and muscle concerns.