La. Ricciardelli et al., Body image and body change methods in adolescent boys - Role of parents, friends, and the media, J PSYCHOSOM, 49(3), 2000, pp. 189-197
Objective: This study examines sociocultural influences affecting both body
image and body change methods in adolescent boys. Methods: Twenty boys in
grade 7 (aged 12-13) and twenty boys in grade 9 (aged 14-15) were individua
lly interviewed. The influence of parents, siblings, friends and the media
on both body image and body change methods was evaluated. Results: For appr
oximately a third of the boys, parents, siblings, friends, and the media we
re perceived to have at least some influence over boys' feelings about thei
r bodies and body change methods. In particular, feedback from mothers and
female friends were viewed as having positive impact on boys' body image wh
ereas feed-back from fathers and male friends was viewed as more important
in influencing body change methods. The media was also viewed as contributi
ng to boys' body satisfaction but it was seen to encourage greater exercise
to alter body size and shape. Conclusion: The differences and similarities
between the sociocultural messages received by males and females are discu
ssed. The implication of these findings in fostering better health among ad
olescent males are explored. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights rese
rved.