Citation

Leone JE, Fetro JV, Kittleson M, Welshimer KJ, Partridge JA, Robertson SL. J. Sch. Health 2011; 81(4): 174-184.

Affiliation

(jleoneatc@yahoo.com, James.Leone@bridgew.edu), Department of Movement Arts, Health Promotion, and Leisure Studies, Bridgewater State University, 325 Plymouth Street, Adrian Tinsley Center, Room 221, Bridgewater, MA 02325. (jfetro@siu.edu), Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 475 Clocktower Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901. Professor and Chair, (kittle@nmsu.edu), Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Social Services, New Mexico State University, Room 102, Health and Social Services Building, 1335 International Mall, P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3HLS, Las Cruces, NM 88003. Associate Professor, (welshime@siu.edu), Department of Health Education and Recreation, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 475 Clocktower Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901. Associate Professor, (jpartrid@siu.edu), Department of Kinesiology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 1075 S. Normal Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901-4310. Associate Professor, (srbrtsn@siu.edu), Department of Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.00577.x

PMID

21392009

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescent males are more likely to sustain intentional and unintentional injuries, be involved in a physical confrontation, and be successful in suicide attempts. Body image dissatisfaction (BID) has been linked as a possible contributing factor to these negative health behaviors and risks; however, research is limited with males. The interaction of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social variables in a holistic model has yet to be explored for males. Variables precipitating adolescent males to develop an unhealthy body image and act on negative health behaviors, such as body image drug use, were the impetus for this study. METHODS: A randomized cross-sectional sample of 330 adolescent males answered questions concerning body image using the Adolescent Body Image Satisfaction Scale (ABISS). Pearson product moment correlations and stepwise regression analyses identified the strongest predictive variables of BID. RESULTS: The strongest contributing variables accounting for 56.7% of model variance were desire for the body of another person (r = .571, p < .001), teasing (r = .490, p < .001), satisfaction with their body when they were younger (r = .450, p < .001), and difficulty coping with criticism (r = .443, p < .001). No statistically significant differences were found for racial/ethnic background (p < .822, n.s.). CONCLUSIONS: Educators and school districts should consider the confluence of psychosocial variables affecting body image and adolescent male health risk behaviors based on a statistically sound predictive model as provided by the ABISS. Targeted programming to enhance body image and address teasing/bullying behaviors is strongly recommended.

Language: en