Masculine Gender Roles and Differentiation: Predictors of Body Image and Self-Objectification in Men

Theory and previous research suggests that culture, traditional masculine ideology, and early relational experiences may affect male body image. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of ethnicity, gender role conflict, and differentiation of self (DOS) on body image and self-objectification among 202 college men. Results indicated that ethnicity and aspects of DOS were significant predictors of body image dissatisfaction, whereas aspects of gender role conflict and DOS were predictors of self-objectification. A particularly noteworthy finding of the study was that a clear sense of self and a lack of emotional enmeshment are related to low body image concerns and low self-objectification among men.