Body Image and Sexuality: A Closer Look at Men

Conference Strand

Identity Formation

Abstract

Previous research conducted on body image and sexuality has been hyper-focused on non-Hispanic white women and college aged women, leaving much to be unknown about body image and sexuality among men. Current research trends suggest that men are feeling more pressure to attain an ideal body type characteristic of high muscularity. In the absence of this ideal body type, there is an increased risk for body dissatisfaction or negative body image.

Description

Sexual behavior has been found in the research as likely to be impacted by an individual’s body image. Body image is defined as the perception of their physical appearance and is comprised of four major components: evaluative, affective, behavioral, and contextual (La Rocque & Cioe, 2011; Leung et al., 2014; Wilhelm, 2006). Furthermore, body image is influenced by societal expectations, biological and familial influences, physical appearance, and interpersonal experiences.

Negative body image has been associated with disordered eating, depression, anxiety, sexual dysfunction and sexual avoidance. Sexual avoidance is conceptualized as the intentional avoidance of sexual situations and sexual interactions with a partner (La Rocque & Cioe, 2011). Furthermore, a relationship between body image and several aspects of sexuality (sexual esteem, sexual satisfaction, and sexual desire) has been established in the literature.

Furthermore, negative body image has been associated with a sense of failure/inferiority, decreased sense of masculinity, reduced sexual pleasure, and sexual avoidance. La Rocque & Cioe (2011) suggested that research inclusive of men in addition to women is required to better understand the relationship between body image and psycho-social functioning. This presentation will discuss body image, sexuality, and the relationship between the two variables. Additionally it will highlight implications for men and conclude with implications for practice and future research.

Evidence

A literature review was conducted on body image and sexuality. Much of the research supported a need for further attention and research on body image and sexuality among men. It is important for clinicians to consider the criteria for Body Dysmorphic Disorder as detailed in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders when addressing body image and sexuality among men, as men are not exempt from the consequences of negative body image and body dissatisfaction. Understanding the relationship between body image and sexuality among men ensures that clinicians have education in addition to training, credentials, supervised experiences, and professional experiences they possess. Furthermore, counselors who conduct research are encouraged to add to the body of knowledge to promote clarity and a better understanding of conditions that lead to a healthy and just society. It is clinically and ethically important that counselors devote an equal amount of attention to body image and sexuality among men as they do body image and sexuality among women.

References

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.

La Rocque, C. L. & Cioe, J. (2011). An evaluation of the relationship between body image and sexual avoidance. The Journal of Sex Research, 48(4), 397-408,

Leung K-K, Wong H. T. H, Naftalin C. M., Lee SS (2014). A new perspective on sexual mixing among men who have sex with men by body image. PLoS ONE 9(11): e113791. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0113791

Loehle, B., McKie, R. M., Levere, D., Bassio, J. A….Tavers, R. (2017). Predictors of men’s genital self-image across sexual orientation and geographic region. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 26(2), 130-141.

MacNeil, L. P, Best, L. A. & Davis, L. L. (2017). The role of personality in body image dissatisfaction and disordered eating: Discrepancies between men and women. Journal of Eating Disorders, 5(44).

Murray, S. B., Rieger, E., Karlov, L. & Touyz, S. W. (2013). Masculinity and femininity in the divergence of male body concerns. Journal of Eating Disorders, 1(11), 1-8.

Wilhelm, S. (2006). Feeling good about the way you look: A program for overcoming body image problems. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

Format

Individual Presentations

Biographical Sketch

PaQuita R. Pullen, LPC-MHSP, NCC

Dr. Michael Christian, Ph.D, LPC-MHSP, NCC

The lead presenters of this proposal includes one PhD student in the Clinical Counseling Teaching and Supervision Doctoral Program at Trevecca Nazarene University and one professor who teaches in the same program. Trevecca is a SACS, four-year accredited university in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. The PhD Counseling program has been CACREP accredited since 2016 and has been granted eight years of accreditation. Each of the presenters are in private practice settings who work with children, families, adults and couples. Their specialties include, trauma-informed therapy, eating disorders, solution-focused therapy, sex therapy, substance abuse treatment, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure response and prevention, and systemic therapy.

Location

Session Five Breakouts: Embassy Suites Salon A

Start Date

2-8-2020 10:00 AM

End Date

2-8-2020 11:15 AM

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Feb 8th, 10:00 AM Feb 8th, 11:15 AM

Body Image and Sexuality: A Closer Look at Men

Session Five Breakouts: Embassy Suites Salon A

Previous research conducted on body image and sexuality has been hyper-focused on non-Hispanic white women and college aged women, leaving much to be unknown about body image and sexuality among men. Current research trends suggest that men are feeling more pressure to attain an ideal body type characteristic of high muscularity. In the absence of this ideal body type, there is an increased risk for body dissatisfaction or negative body image.