Muscle dysmorphia and psychopathology: Findings from an Italian sample of male bodybuilders

Claudio Longobardi; Laura Elvira Prino; Matteo Angelo Fabris; Michele Settanni

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.06.065

Muscle dysmorphia and psychopathology: Findings from an Italian sample of male bodybuilders

Psychiatry Res. 2017 Oct:256:231-236. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.06.065. Epub 2017 Jun 17.

Authors

Claudio Longobardi¹, Laura Elvira Prino², Matteo Angelo Fabris², Michele Settanni²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Italy. Electronic address: Claudio.longobardi@unito.it.
² Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Italy.

PMID: 28646788
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.06.065

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the risk of muscle dysmorphia and psychopathological symptoms in an Italian sample of male bodybuilders.

Method: The sample was recruited online (145 men with a mean age of 30.0 years) and participants were asked to fill out the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI), Symptom Cheklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES-II), and to provide other socio-demographic data. Bodybuilders at risk of muscle dysmorphia display greater global psychopathology and present higher scores on all SCL-90-R dimensions when compared to bodybuilders not at risk of muscle dysmorphia. Furthermore, risk of muscle dysmorphia is positively associated to dissociative symptoms. The Competitiveness dimension and anabolic steroid intake were not related to muscle dysmorphia, while age appeared to be more significant. Findings are discussed based upon previous studies and directions for future research are suggested.

Keywords: Bodybuilding; Dissociative Symptoms; Muscle Dysmorphia; Psychopathology.

MeSH terms

Adult
Body Dysmorphic Disorders / psychology*
Dissociative Disorders / psychology*
Humans
Italy
Male
Muscle, Skeletal
Psychopathology
Weight Lifting / psychology*