Martin S Lehe, Georg Halbeisen, Vanessa C Juergensen, Luisa Sabel, Sabine Steins-Loeber, Georgios Paslakis
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Eating disorders (EDs) affect individuals across all genders, but men remain underrepresented in ED treatment settings. Stigma related to EDs in men may impede help-seeking, particularly for symptoms that deviate from traditional masculine ideals. This study investigates whether stigma-related perceptions of EDs in men specifically moderate the association between disordered eating symptoms and help-seeking intentions in men, i.e., whether there is a gender-specific component of ED stigma.
Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, n = 242 men and n = 249 women completed questionnaires on various disordered eating symptoms ("traditional" thinness-oriented, muscularity-oriented, orthorexic, and avoidant/restrictive eating behaviors), stigma-related perceptions of EDs in men, and help-seeking intentions. Moderator analyses were conducted by gender to explore interactions between symptom severity and stigma in predicting help-seeking intentions.
Results: Help-seeking intentions increased with the severity of disordered eating symptoms in both men and women, except for avoidant/restrictive eating behavior in both genders and muscularity-oriented symptoms in men. Stigma-related perceptions of EDs in men moderated the association between symptoms and help-seeking intentions in men, which was exclusively the case for "feminized" ED symptoms (i.e., thinness and weight concerns). No moderation effects were observed for other symptom domains or among women.
Conclusions: Results support the notion of a gender-specific role of stigma in men's help-seeking behaviors for EDs. Such stigma, which seems to be related to "feminized" ED symptoms, may contribute to men's reluctance to seek help for EDs. These findings emphasize the need for interventions tailored to reduce stigma, particularly regarding men's experiences of EDs, to support equal access to healthcare.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Eating Disorders is the first open access, peer-reviewed journal publishing leading research in the science and clinical practice of eating disorders. It disseminates research that provides answers to the important issues and key challenges in the field of eating disorders and to facilitate translation of evidence into practice.
The journal publishes research on all aspects of eating disorders namely their epidemiology, nature, determinants, neurobiology, prevention, treatment and outcomes. The scope includes, but is not limited to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders. Related areas such as important co-morbidities, obesity, body image, appetite, food and eating are also included. Articles about research methodology and assessment are welcomed where they advance the field of eating disorders.