Masculinity and Muscle Dysmorphia in Mixed Gender Canadian Youth

Abstract

Prior research has documented an association between conformity to masculine gender norms and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology. However, much of this research has been limited to samples of men. To address this important gap in the research, the aim of this study was to determine the association between conformity to masculine gender norms and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology among a gender-diverse sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults. Data from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors (N = 2,719) were analyzed. Regression analyses were used to estimate the association between conformity to masculine gender norms and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology, clinical risk for muscle dysmorphia, and lifetime anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use, among the overall sample and stratified by gender. Conformity to masculine gender norms was positively associated with muscle dysmorphia symptomatology, clinical risk for muscle dysmorphia, and lifetime AAS use among the sample. Moreover, findings were similar among boys and young men, girls and young women, and transgender/gender-expansive participants. Findings underscore the relevance of masculine gender norms in relation to the pursuit of muscularity among adolescents and young adults. Future research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms underlying the link between conformity to masculine gender norms and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology across genders.