[The relationship of muscle dysmorphia to the body image and early maladaptive schemata created by parental behaviours].

Abstract

Introduction: the purpose of our study was to investigate the link between specific traits that determine muscle dysmorphia in bodybuilders and the parental behaviours which play a role in developing these schemata, as well as the eating-disorder-specific traits which differentiate bodybuilders from the normal population.

Aim: conceptualising the similarities of personality traits in case of muscle dysmorphia and eating disorders, as well as their etiology based on the schema theory.

Method: to measure muscle dysmorphia was used the Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale. We explored its connec - tion with eating disorders applying the Eating Disorder Inventory and thereof with the parental behaviours was used the Young Parental Inventory.

Results: a number of eating-disorder-specific traits differentiate persons with muscle dysmorphic traits from the normal population. These are Drive for thinness, Body dissatisfaction, Feeling of inadequacy, Interoceptive awareness and Perfectionism. Regarding the perceived parental behaviour the father violated the child's need of autonomy, compe - tence and self-identity and the mother violated the need of boundaries and self-control.

Conclusions: Based on several personality characteristics, muscle dysmorphia may be related to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In its etiology parental care can have a role, as the father is disposed to detain the autonomy, and the expression of personal needs, while the mother demonstrates insufficient control functions, and the detention of the autonomy and the need for competency.