Why do queer men experience negative body image? A narrative review and testable stigma model

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Sexual minority men experience disproportionately higher rates of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders compared to heterosexual men.
• Existing research primarily focuses on individual predictors, leaving a gap in understanding systemic influences on negative body image among queer men.

Approach:

• This narrative review synthesizes theoretical frameworks, empirical research, policy documents, and media reports.
• It examines negative body image among queer men through the lens of hegemonic masculinity and systemic stigma.

Key Points:

• Systemic stigma and hegemonic masculinity create unattainable appearance standards for queer men, fueling body image concerns.
• These systemic factors exacerbate negative health outcomes for queer men experiencing body image issues.
• A synthesized model is proposed, outlining processes and generating testable predictions for future research.

Conclusions:

• This review offers the first comprehensive explanation of systemic negative body image in queer men.
• Understanding these systemic factors is crucial for developing effective interventions to improve body image within this community.