The Influence of Gender Expression on the Internalization of the Thin and Muscular Body Ideals
Abstract
Very little is known about the role of gender expression on the internalization of the thin and muscular body ideals, and virtually no research exists regarding the influence of sex-type. Using the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), the present study measured the sex-type of roughly 1,200 young adults. In addition, the SATAQ-3 was used to determine the degree of internalization of both the thin and muscular body ideals. The Female Sex-Type showed significantly higher levels of internalization for the thin ideal and the Male Sex-Type showed significantly more internalization of the muscular ideal, regardless of biological gender. The Androgynous Sex-Type showed significant internalization of both the thin and muscular ideal, while the Undifferentiated Sex-Type scored lower on both subscales. Once the relationship between gender expression and body perception is better understood, present treatment programs can be modified in order to better address the internalization of the thin and muscular ideal amongst individuals endorsing nonconforming gender expression.
Subject
sexual orienationheteronormative
internalization
body ideals
sex-type
gender identiy
gender expression
muscular ideal
thin ideal
Citation
Stefano, Emily 1990- (2012). The Influence of Gender Expression on the Internalization of the Thin and Muscular Body Ideals. Honors and Undergraduate Research. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /154432.