Graduation Term
Spring 2026
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Psychology: Clinical-Counseling Psychology
Committee Chair
Suejung Han
Committee Member
Caitlin Mercier
Committee Member
Alex Tatum
Abstract
Body image concerns among men are increasingly prevalent yet remain understudied compared to women’s experiences. Drawing on objectification theory, the present study examines the relationship between social media influence and men’s drive for muscularity through a serial mediation model. Specifically, the present study investigates whether the internalization of masculine body ideals and engagement in body surveillance behaviors mediate the link between social media influence and the drive for muscularity. Furthermore, the present study model attempts to explore how these processes differ across sexual identities, given evidence that sexual minority men face distinct sociocultural pressures regarding appearance. Adult male-identifying social media users (N = 258) were recruited to complete measures of social media influence, body ideal internalization, body surveillance behaviors, and drive for muscularity. Path analyses were conducted to test the hypothesized model and assess potential differences in pathway associations between heterosexual and sexual minority men. Findings provide insight into the psychological mechanisms underlying male body image concerns and inform targeted interventions to reduce the risks of disordered eating, muscle dysmorphia, and maladaptive body modification behaviors among male populations.
Access Type
Thesis-Open Access
Recommended Citation
McDaniel, Sean P., "Social Media, Masculine Body Ideals, and the Drive for Muscularity: A Serial Mediation Model Across Sexual Identities" (2026). Theses and Dissertations. 2287.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/2287
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Social Media Commons, Social Psychology Commons