Prospective relationships of body appreciation and functionality appreciation with body dissatisfaction and psychological quality of life among sexual minority men

Abstract

Cross-sectional studies indicate that body appreciation and functionality appreciation are independently predictive of positive outcomes, including lower body dissatisfaction and improved psychological wellbeing. Sexual minority (e.g., gay, bisexual) men are underrepresented in positive body image research, warranting an examination of whether positive body image might also engender positive impacts on body image and psychological wellbeing for this population. We examined the longitudinal relationships of body appreciation and functionality appreciation with psychological quality of life (a multidimensional construct that encompasses psychological wellbeing, mental health, and self-worth), body fat dissatisfaction, and muscularity dissatisfaction among 821 sexual minority men. We used cross-lagged panel models to examine the bidirectional relationships of these constructs across three timepoints spanning 18 months. Greater muscularity dissatisfaction, body fat dissatisfaction, and psychological quality of life impairment were associated with lower body appreciation over time. Body appreciation was positively associated with psychological quality of life impairment over time, but did not predict any other outcome over time. Functionality appreciation was an outcome in one model: greater psychological quality of life impairment was associated with lower functionality appreciation over time. Functionality appreciation was not associated with muscularity or body fat dissatisfaction in either direction over time. These findings can guide intervention development. For example, future research might explore the efficacy of interventions for improving body appreciation on men’s muscularity dissatisfaction, and vice-versa. Further, interventions for improving men’s psychological wellbeing may be beneficial for both their body and functionality appreciation.