Male attitudes towards seeking help for an eating disorder: impact of masculine norms, self stigma, problem recognition, internalisation of the muscular ideal, and gendered construct across five groups; a community sample, men at risk of an ED, men with a likely ED diagnosis, gay and heterosexual men
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- Title
- Male attitudes towards seeking help for an eating disorder: impact of masculine norms, self stigma, problem recognition, internalisation of the muscular ideal, and gendered construct across five groups; a community sample, men at risk of an ED, men with a likely ED diagnosis, gay and heterosexual men
- Creator
- William Clift
- Supervisor
- Dr Amy Harrison.
- Date
- 2015
- Abstract
- Background Information: Eating Disorders (EDs) are a threat to mental and physical health, and co-occur with a range of other conditions, including depression. Men constitute up to 30% of cases, but few seek help. Aim: This study investigated whether masculine norms, shame associated with seeking help (self stigma), problem recognition, and internalisation of the muscular ideal would predict male attitudes towards seeking help for an ED, and whether self stigma would mediate the relationship between masculine norms and attitudes, and the relationship between problem recognition and attitudes. Group differences were examined across five groups. Participants: The groups comprised the main group (n=392, M age=34.96), participants deemed at risk of developing an ED (n=94, M age=32.32), those with a likely ED diagnosis (n=12, M age=27.73), gay participants (n=152, M age=34.67), and heterosexual participants (n=240, M age=34.67). Method: ED symptoms were measured using the Eating Attitudes Test and Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the hypothesised model across groups. Results: Masculine norms and self stigma were significant negative predictors of attitudes in the main, gay and heterosexual groups. Self stigma mediated the relationship between masculine norms and attitudes, and the relationship between problem recognition and attitudes, in four groups. Masculine norms and self stigma were stronger predictors in the gay (vs heterosexual) and at risk (vs main) groups. Implications and Limitations: Results could inform interventions designed to improve treatment uptake in men with EDs. Seeking therapy could be reframed from being a sign of weakness to a sign of strength, requiring courage. Health authorities could publicise the negative impact of EDs, which may reduce self stigma. A major limitation was lack of ethnic diversity in the sample.
- Subject
- Eating disorders in men|||
- Psychology
- Extent
- 94 pages
- Format
- Publisher
- Regent's University London
- degree
- MSc Psychology
- Language
- English
- Date Issued
- 2015
- Type
- Thesis & Dissertation
- Rights Holder
- Regent's University London & William Clift
- Item sets
- Theses or Dissertation