Self-compassion and relationship status moderate the relationship between sexual minority status and body image concerns

• Published in: Body image Vol. 49; p. 101696
• Main Authors: Sarda, Elisa, Arsandaux, Julie, Ferré, Quentin, Rodgers, Rachel F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Body concerns; Body Image - psychology; Empathy; Heterosexuality - psychology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Relationship status; Self Concept; Self-compassion; Sexual and Gender Minorities - psychology; Sexual and Gender Minorities - statistics & numerical data; Sexual minority men; Shame; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Body concerns; Sexual minority men; Self-compassion; Relationship status
• ISSN: 1740-1445; 1873-6807
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101696

A growing body of research suggests that sexual minority men (SMM) experience greater body image concerns including body shame, body surveillance, drive for muscularity and drive for thinness than heterosexual men. However, little is known regarding the potential factors that can buffer these relationships. The aim of the present study was to examine the role that both self-compassion and relationship status may play in decreasing the strength of the relationship between sexual minority status and body image concerns. A sample of n = 106 SMM and n = 145 heterosexual men completed an online survey assessing body image concerns, self-compassion, and relationship status. Findings revealed that SMM reported higher levels of body image concerns (on all measures, except drive for muscularity) as compared to heterosexual men. Self-compassion moderated the link between sexual orientation and drive for muscularity: in men with higher levels of self-compassion, sexual orientation was no longer associated with drive for muscularity. But, among men with less self-compassion, SMM reported higher drive for muscularity than heterosexual men. Moreover, relationship status moderated the relationship between sexual orientation and body shame and drive for thinness, such that, among SMM only, being in a relationship was associated with lower levels of these concerns. •SMM reported higher levels of body image concerns as compared to heterosexual men.•Higher self-compassion was associated with lower drive for muscularity among SMM.•SMM engaged in a relationship have lower body shame and drive for thinness.