Investigating muscularity concerns in male body image: development of the Swansea Muscularity Attitudes Questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
An investigation into muscularity concerns in males was carried out.


METHODS
A series of questionnaires, containing items pertaining to attitudes and behavior relating to muscularity, were administered to normal male subjects.


RESULTS
Factor analysis revealed two underlying constructs. The first reflected the desire to be muscular and and to such goal-oriented behaviors. The second reflected perceived positive attributes of muscularity, including feelings of masculinity, enhanced confidence, and greater attractiveness. Following preliminary studies, a final version of the Swansea Muscularity Attitudes Questionnaire was developed and administered to 303 normal male subjects. Factor analysis of these data confirmed the dual-construct model. The two subscales of this questionnaire (Drive for Muscularity and Positive Attributes of Muscularity) displayed high internal reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that this questionnaire provides a tool that may be used to investigate further the relationship between muscularity concerns and body image issues in males.
Edwards
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Department of Psychology, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales.
Launder
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D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001504:Beauty; D001823:Body Composition; D001828:Body Image; D004328:Drive; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005783:Gender Identity; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000523:psychology*