Date of Award

5-2022

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Kinesiology

First Advisor

Erik Lind, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Kaitlin Flannery, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Katherine M. Polasek, Ph.D.

Abstract

Given the paucity of literature investigating body dissatisfaction in collegiate male athletes, more work is necessary to establish the extent and consequences of that phenomenon in this population. The purpose of this study was to explore body dissatisfaction in collegiate male athletes participating in varsity sports at SUNY Cortland. The specific aim was to determine the prevalence of body dissatisfaction in collegiate male athletes and other intra-individual factors that may exist within varsity men's sports. Thirteen participants completed electronic surveys for the Weight Pressures Scale for Male athletes (WPS-M), the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS), and the Body Esteem Scale (BES), as well as paper copies of the Male Body Scale (MBS) and Male Fit Body Scale (MFBS). Height (cm), weight (kg), and body fat percentage were also measured objectively. Statistical analyses were completed using SPSS. A level of significance was set at .05 for all statistical analyses. Results of the present study showed out of 13 total participants, 61.54% were classified as having fat-related body dissatisfaction, and 92.30% were classified as having muscularity-related body dissatisfaction. Significant correlations were found between the WPS-M and the DMS (r = -.774, p = .002), the WPS-M Coach/Teammate pressures subscale and the DMS (r = -.835, p <.001), the WPS-M and the BES-PC (r = -.589, p = .034), the WPS-M Coach/Teammate pressures subscale and the DMS (r = -.645, p=.017). the DMS and the BES-UBS (r = .618, p = .024), the DMS and the BES-PC (r = .558, p = .048), the MBS score and the weight difference (r = .644, p = .018), and the WPS-M Appearance pressures subscale and the weight difference (r = -.649, p = .016). Significant differences were observed for the BES-PA (F(2,10) = 4.272, p = .046, ηp2 = .461), and the BES-PC (F(2,10) = 6.881, p = .013, ηp2= .579). Post hoc comparisons revealed those who were satisfied with their body type (M = 61.60, SD = 1.949) had a significantly higher mean score on the BES-PC compared to those who wanted to be smaller (M = 43.33, SD = 9.292, p = .012). Body dissatisfaction affects both male and female athletes, however there is still a gap in scientific literature on this phenomenon in collegiate male athletes. The present study has provided new evidence on male athletes and both fat-related and muscularity-related body dissatisfaction. Recent research has shown males and females require different methods to identify those at risk for developing disordered eating behaviors and body dissatisfaction. Investigating male body dissatisfaction and using evidence-based findings for the development and implementation of risk factor assessments for specific populations (e.g., Division III male athletes) can help sports medicine staff, including athletic trainers, identify those at risk effectively.

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