Association between Discrimination and Drive for Muscularity in Asian and Asian American Men
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Date
2022-06
Authors
Acree, Jasmine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Asian/Asian American men endorse amongst the highest rates of body dissatisfaction across racial groups. However, there has been little research conducted on how experiences with race-related discrimination are connected to Asian men’s body image and related behaviors. It was hypothesized that experiences with race-related discrimination would be associated with the greater drive for muscularity, and that this association would be stronger amongst those with greater internalization of the Western masculine body ideal (muscularity and thinness). Participants completed an online survey answering questions regarding their demographics, experiences with racism, drive for muscularity, and internalization of muscularity and thinness appearance ideals. The primary results showed that there was a significant, positive link between Asian/Asian American men’s experiences with both racism and microaggressions and the drive for muscularity, B’s = 2.10-2.21, p’s < .001. Internalization of the thinness and muscularity appearance ideals functioned as moderators for both experiences with racism and microaggressions, with differential exacerbating and mitigating influences (B = -.17-.24, p’s < .001). Importantly, Asian/Asian American men who experienced high microaggressions and had higher internalization of the thinness ideal endorsed the most severe drive for muscularity, p <.001. These findings indicate that experiences with discrimination can lead to increased harmful behaviors aimed at achieving the Western masculine body ideal. These data may help to inform the development of culturally specific interventions aimed at improving body image and associated behaviors in young Asian and Asian American men.
Description
34 pages
Keywords
Psychology, Discrimination, Drive for Muscularity, Asian Men