“Do you even lift, bro?” Objectification, minority stress, and body image concerns for sexual minority men.

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie E. Brewster ◽  
Riddhi Sandil ◽  
Cirleen DeBlaere ◽  
Aaron Breslow ◽  
Austin Eklund
2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron S. Breslow ◽  
Anthea Chan ◽  
Eric Arnold ◽  
Elizabeth Glaeser ◽  
Aysegul Yucel ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Aaron J. Blashill ◽  
Tiffany A. Brown ◽  
Patrycja Klimek

Eating disorders are serious mental health disorders that are associated with significant medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and they have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder. Although considerable research has demonstrated that sexual minority males represent a high-risk group for eating disorders and body image disturbance, less research has been conducted on evidence-based practice for this population. This chapter describes the prevalence of body image disturbance and eating pathology/disorders among sexual minority men. Next, it reviews leading theoretical models that explain these concerns among sexual minority men, including objectification theory, tripartite theory, and sexual minority stress theory. It then discusses clinical interventions and prevention programs tailored to sexual minority men and briefly reviews leading treatment packages for eating pathology in the general population. A case example of enhanced cognitive–behavioral therapy with a hypothetical sexual minority male patient is presented. The chapter concludes with future directions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Mahon ◽  
G Kiernan ◽  
P Gallagher

Abstract Background Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minority men (SMM) are at an increased risk of social anxiety disorder. Distal (i.e., everyday discrimination) and proximal (i.e., internalised homophobia, rejection sensitivity, concealment of sexual orientation) minority stress processes are associated with heightened social anxiety for SMM. Stressors emerging from within the sexual minority male community, termed intra-minority stress, and psychological processes that may foster resilience (i.e., a sense of coherence, connectedness to the LGBT community) are less explored in this area. This study examined potential pathways between everyday discrimination, intra-minority stress, proximal minority stressors, resilience and social anxiety. Methods Self-identified SMM (N = 255) residing in the Republic of Ireland completed an online survey containing measures of minority stress, intra-minority stress, resilience and social anxiety. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the model. Results The model yielded a good fit to the data, X2(16) = 26.61, CFI = .99, TLI = .97, RMSEA = .05, and SRMR = .03. Rejection sensitivity and a sense of coherence had a significant indirect effect in the relationships between both exogenous variables (i.e., discrimination and intra-minority stress) and social anxiety. There were no significant pathways to social anxiety involving concealment of sexual orientation, internalised homophobia or LGBT community connectedness. Conclusions For SMM, minority stress processes and intra-minority stress are important determinants of social anxiety. Our findings demonstrate that proximal minority stressors may operate differently in a social anxiety context for SMM in western European countries. A sense of coherence was an integral factor in the model and demonstrated the strongest association with social anxiety.


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