Objective Measurement and Insight Assessment of Muscle Dysmorphia

Abstract

Muscle dysmorphia is a relatively new psychological disorder primarily affecting men. The main diagnostic criterion is an obsession with the idea that the body is not sufficiently lean or muscular when compared to others. As a muscular physique is so important to their self-worth, individuals with muscle dysmorphia may have little insight into how their behaviors are affecting their lives and may be less likely to seek psychological treatment. The purpose of this study was to measure factors related to exercise and muscle dysmorphia and examine their relationship to insight and recognition of criteria for muscle dysmorphia. Participants (N = 85) completed a series of questionnaires to assess the independent variables and were then administered two questionnaires designed to assess insight to any criteria of muscle dysmorphia participants might be experiencing as well as their recognition of criteria in a case vignette. A series of multiple regression analyses were conducted using feeling of obligatory exercise, exercise motivation, reasons for exercise, athletic identity, and symptoms of muscle dysmorphia as predictor variables for awareness of diagnostic criteria of muscle dysmorphia and self-reported symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. Results indicated that participants with higher athletic identity and greater symptoms of muscle dysmorphia had a higher insight into their own dysmorphia than participants with low athletic identity and fewer symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. At the same time, individuals with more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia had a lower recognition of muscle dysmorphia in others than those with fewer symptoms.