A Multidimensional Scaling Analysis of Male Body Perception in Men With Muscle Dysmorphia: "The Adonis Complex"

Abstract

Men with muscle dysmorphia (MD) are preoccupied with the idea that their bodies are insufficiently lean or muscular. This study used multidimensional scaling analysis to explore distortions in male body perception associated with MD. Men aged 18- 46 were grouped into 41 low- and 16 high-MD samples using the Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory (Rhea, Lantz, & Cornelius, 2004). Participants judged similarities among photos of 27 male bodies (including icons representing Actual and Ideal Selves) and rated the bodies on nine attribute dimensions. MDS analysis found that both low- and high-MD men used the same dimensions in organizing their perceptions of male bodies, but high-MD men displayed significantly greater distance between Actual and Ideal Selves than did low-MD men on several dimensions. MDS is described as a useful tool for understanding the perceptual and cognitive distortions of MD that may have value in diagnosing MD, initiating therapeutic discussions, and evaluating outcomes.