Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2025

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
When Help Is Harm: Health, Lookism and Self-Improvement in the Manosphere
Michael Halpin1, Meghan Gosse1, Katharine Yeo2
1Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
Abstract:
How do online communities impact men's health? How does hegemonic masculinity harm men's health? In this paper, we analyse an online looksmaxxing community that receives 6 million unique visitors per month and is aimed at men seeking to improve their appearance. We qualitatively analysed 8072 discussion board comments in total. Our findings first demonstrate how users apply a hegemonic masculine gaze as they critique men's bodies (e.g., facial asymmetries and brow ridges). Second, we show how the community encourages men to substantially alter their bodies (e.g., with leg lengthening surgeries or by mewing). Third, we argue that the community subjects users to masculine demoralisation, wherein they are seen as failed men and encouraged to self-harm. Drawing on masculinities theory, we argue that looksmaxxing and similar self-improvement communities harm the health of the men who participate in them.
Related Concept Videos
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
Relationship Formation
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Concepts of Health and Illness

