Influence of Social Expectations on Muscle Dysmorphia in College-Age Males Studying Exercise Science

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between the risk of an individual developing MD and the presence of unrealistic social expectations. The research question is “How do unrealistic social expectations influence the development of muscle dysmorphia in college-age males studying exercise science?”. METHODS: An electronic survey was distributed to all exercise science students at The University of Akron. This survey was targeted exclusively at male students; any responses received by females were not analyzed. The survey consisted of 20 questions that were aimed at determining the individual’s risk of developing muscle dysmorphia and determining how likely the individual is to have been influenced by social expectations. The responses were recorded and evaluated using a line of best fits. The correlation coefficient was calculated and evaluated to identify any correlation. RESULTS: Twenty responses were analyzed in the line of best fit. The correlation coefficient was calculated as 0.3583. DISCUSSION: The sample size was too small to make any declarations of correlation. A correlation coefficient of 0.3583 is indicative of a small positive correlation between the risk of an individual developing MD and the presence of unrealistic social expectations