The impact of masculinity and femininity on disordered eating symptoms and the mediating role of muscularity ideals

Abstract

Abstract This study examines the role of gender role orientation in shaping body ideals and its impact on disordered eating and muscle dysmorphic symptoms in women. We explore how self-perceived Gender Roles regarding Masculinity and Femininity relate to thinness and muscularity ideals and whether these body ideals mediate the relationship between Gender Roles and disordered eating behaviors. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 304 adult women. Participants completed measures assessing gender role orientation, body ideals, disordered eating symptoms, and muscle dysmorphic symptoms. Mediation analyses were performed. Self-reported Masculinity was associated with stronger muscularity ideals, while Femininity predicted a weaker drive for muscularity. The mediation analysis showed that muscularity ideals completely mediated the relationship between self-perceived Masculinity or Femininity and disordered eating symptoms. The study highlights the importance of considering Gender Roles and muscularity ideals when examining the development of body image concerns and disordered eating behaviors. The findings suggest that promoting flexible gender role perceptions could be an effective focus for public health interventions aimed at preventing and reducing disordered eating. Future research should further investigate these relationships in clinical populations and explore additional mediators. Trial registration: This study was preregistered on the Open Science Framework (OSF, https//osf.io/efn4v May 6, 2024).