The drive for muscularity and disordered eating among heterosexual and sexual minority men in Israel.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the moderating effects of self-acceptance and perceived country-level acceptance of gender and sexual orientation on the relationship between the drive for muscularity and disordered eating, particularly among sexual minority and cisgender men. We hypothesized that high levels of acceptance, both individually and within the societal context, would mitigate the pressure to adhere to conventional masculine ideals, consequently lowering the likelihood of engaging in disordered eating behaviors. Seven hundred twenty-three Israeli men aged 18-68 participated in the study. The sample included heterosexual men (67.9%) and sexual minority men (30.1%), with a deliberate oversampling of sexual minority men to explore differences in the suggested model between heterosexual and sexual minority groups. The data were analyzed using hierarchical robust regression, examining interactions between the variables of interest. The results revealed significant associations between the drive for muscularity, disordered eating, and lower self-acceptance of sexual identity. Sexual minority men reported higher levels of disordered eating and drive for muscularity than did heterosexual men, along with lower levels of acceptance of gender and sexual orientation (by the individual and the country). The association between drive for muscularity and disordered eating was moderated by sexual orientation and self-acceptance of gender identity, with a stronger association among men with lower self-acceptance of their gender identity and sexual minority men. The findings underscore the significance of fostering individual and country-level acceptance of gender and sexual orientation differences to promote well-being and mitigate the risk of disordered eating among heterosexual and sexual minority men, particularly the latter. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).