ABSTRACT
RESUMO Objetivos Avaliar preditores de dismorfia muscular em homens brasileiros de minoria sexual e de gênero e descrever normas comunitárias para o Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI), instrumento de avaliação de sinais e sintomas de dismorfia muscular. Métodos Trata-se de estudo transversal realizado com 1.444 homens brasileiros de minoria sexual e de gênero, com idade entre 18 e 50 anos. Por meio de uma pesquisa on-line , os participantes responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico, assim como medidas para avaliação dos sintomas de dismorfia muscular, busca pela muscularidade, internalização da aparência ideal e auto-objetificação. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e de correlação ( rho de Spearman) entre as variáveis do estudo, bem como uma análise de regressão linear múltipla ( stepwise forward ) para avaliar preditores de dismorfia muscular. Resultados Associação positiva e significante, de grande magnitude, foi observada entre os sintomas de dismorfia muscular, busca pela muscularidade, internalização da aparência ideal e auto-objetificação. Regressão linear múltipla demonstrou que todas essas variáveis são preditoras dos sintomas de dismorfia muscular em homens brasileiros de minoria sexual e de gênero. Conclusões Homens brasileiros de minoria sexual e de gênero apresentaram elevado risco para dismorfia muscular. Sintomas de dismorfia muscular estiveram associados com a busca pela muscularidade, internalização da aparência ideal e auto-objetificação, demonstrando que elas são preditoras de dismorfia muscular. Intervenções devem ser direcionadas a essa população, considerando a necessidade de criar estratégias de redução de sintomas de dismorfia muscular, da busca pela muscularidade, da internalização da aparência ideal e da auto-objetificação.
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 variables, 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, showing that they are predictors of muscle dysmorphia. Interventions should target this population, considering the need to create strategies to reduce muscle dysmorphia symptoms, the drive for muscularity, appearance-ideal internalization, and self-objectification.
ABSTRACT
Despite high levels of muscularity concerns among sexual-minority men, most of the existing literature on the drive for muscularity and muscle dysmorphia focuses on heterosexual men and has mainly been conducted in Western and English-speaking regions. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) and the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men who were 18-50 years old. We evaluated the factor structure of both measures using a two-step, split-sample exploratory (EFA; n = 704) and confirmatory (CFA; n = 705) factor-analytic approach, which supported the original three-factor structure of the MDDI and resulted in a reduced two-factor solution with 13 items for the DMS. Convergent validity was supported through associations of the DMS and the MDDI with eating disorder symptoms, body-ideal internalization, self-objectification beliefs and behaviors, and body appreciation measures. Additionally, we found good internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of both measures. Results support the validity and reliability of the DMS and the MDDI in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men and will support future studies exploring these constructs in Brazilian sexual-minority men.
Subject(s)
Muscular Diseases , Sexual and Gender Minorities , Male , Humans , Adult , Adolescent , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Body Image , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Brazil , Muscle, Skeletal , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: One of the most widely used assessment tools for disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), has not yet been evaluated in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual men-an at-risk population given the extent of minority stressors in Brazilian culture. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the EDE-Q among Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men. METHOD: The Brazilian EDE-Q was administered to a sample of 1409 gay and bisexual adult men, along with measures of self-objectification, body-ideal internalization, drive for muscularity, muscle dysmorphia symptoms, and body appreciation. The factor structure of the Brazilian EDE-Q was assessed using a two-step, split-sample exploratory (EFA; n = 704) and confirmatory factor analytic approach (CFA; n = 705). Additionally, convergent validity, internal consistency, and 2-week test-retest reliability were assessed. RESULTS: Findings from an EFA and CFA revealed a one-factor structure with 22 items and adequate internal consistency (ω = .92, 95% CI = [.91, .93]). Moreover, the scale demonstrated good 2-week test-retest reliability (ICC = .86, 95% CI = [.82, .88], p < .001). The EDE-Q scores showed positive associations with self-objectification, body-ideal internalization, muscle dysmorphia symptoms, and drive for muscularity, as well as a negative association with body appreciation. DISCUSSION: Results provide support for the use of the EDE-Q using a one-factor structure in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men and give insights for future studies on eating disorders in sexual minorities in Latin America. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) is one of the most widely used self-report measures of eating disorder symptoms. However, there is a lack of research on the validity and reliability of the EDE-Q in Latin American countries. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the EDE-Q in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men. Our findings give insights for future studies on eating disorders in sexual minorities in Latin America.
Subject(s)
Feeding and Eating Disorders , Sexual and Gender Minorities , Male , Adult , Humans , Psychometrics , Reproducibility of Results , Brazil , Surveys and Questionnaires , Feeding and Eating Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Positive body image may be particularly relevant to assess for Brazilian gay and bisexual men, given the extent of sexual minority stressors (e.g., harassment, discrimination) in Brazilian culture, which can impair one's self-perception and concept. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) among Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men, aged 18-50 years. We evaluated the factor structure using a two-step, split-sample exploratory (EFA; n = 682) and confirmatory factor analytic approach (CFA; n = 727), which supported the one-factor structure of the measure. Additionally, convergent validity, internal consistency, and 2-week test-retest reliability were assessed. The BAS-2 scores showed small to large negative correlations with self-objectification beliefs and behaviors, drive for muscularity and appearance-ideal internalization measures. We also found good internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the measure. Taken together, these results support the use of the BAS-2 in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual men and provide an initial understanding of body appreciation and other related constructs among this population.
