This study examined the effects of viewing sexually explicit media on men's body image, body change behaviors, and esteem in a randomized experimental study. The purpose was to determine if a cause and effect relationship exists between viewing sexually explicit media and body image dissatisfaction in men. Participants were randomized to one of four conditions. They were asked to view a short media clip and then answer a series of questionnaires assessing their current body change strategies (e.g., pathogenic weight control practices), interest in risky body behaviors (e.g., cosmetic surgery), esteem (i.e., genital, sexual, and self-esteem), and overall body image satisfaction. It was hypothesized that men exposed to the sexually explicit media condition would evidence more dissatisfaction with their bodies, utilize more body change strategies, and have more interest in risky body change behaviors. It was also hypothesized that men exposed to the sexually explicit condition would evidence poorer self-esteem, sexual esteem, and genital esteem relative to participants in the other conditions. The hypotheses were not supported. There were no significant differences among any of the conditions, including a more specific analysis between the control and sexually explicit conditions. As this differs from findings of similar studies with female participants, it is important for future studies to further examine this topic and to identify protective factors that may exist for men who view sexually explicit materials.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ucf.edu/oai:stars.library.ucf.edu:etd-5738 |
| Date | 01 January 2014 |
| Creators | Schuster, Elizabeth |
| Publisher | STARS |
| Source Sets | University of Central Florida |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Electronic Theses and Dissertations |
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