title: Predictors of sports motivation among gay and bisexual men.
abstract: Athletic activities are associated with reduced levels of stress and negative mood states among heterosexuals; thus, examining this association among gay/bisexual men is warranted. The current study examined the relationship between sports motivation and mood states, self-esteem, body esteem, life satisfaction, perceptions of masculinity/femininity, and parental encouragement for athletic endeavors among 195 gay/bisexual men. The results were mixed, but suggest that sports participation among gay/bisexual men may relate to a desire to express their masculinity and maintain a positive body image. Gay/bisexual men may be more likely to participate in sports if they receive positive reinforcement from others.
authors.affiliation: Program in Human Sexuality, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, 1300 S 2nd St., Ste. 180, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. bzamboni@umphysicians.umn.edu
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Zamboni
authors.forename: Isiaah
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Adam W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Carrico
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D005783:Gender Identity; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*