The Relationships Among Masculine Appearance Norm Violations, Childhood Harassment for Gender Nonconformity, and Body Image Concerns Among Sexual Minority Men

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study tested the degree to which objectification based on masculine appearance norm violations and childhood harassment for gender nonconformity contributed to body image concerns (i.e., body shame and body surveillance) among sexual minority men. METHODS: A total of 216 sexual minority men living in the United States completed an online survey, with an average age of 29.92 (SD = 10.61). RESULTS: Body surveillance significantly mediated the relationship between masculine appearance norm violations and body shame. Body surveillance did not significantly mediate the relationship between childhood harassment for gender nonconformity and body shame; rather, childhood harassment for gender nonconformity directly predicted body shame. It was hypothesized that childhood harassment for gender nonconformity would moderate the following relationships: masculine appearance norm violations and body surveillance, masculine appearance norm violations and body shame, and body surveillance and body shame. No evidence for moderation was observed. DISCUSSION: Implications for mental health practice, future research, and strengths and limitations of the study are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• body image
• sexual minority men
• bullying
• harassment
• gender nonconformity
• objectification