Muscle Dysmorphia and Emotion Regulation: Findings From the Study of Boys and Men

This study aimed to determine the association between muscle dysmorphia and emotion regulation difficulties among a sample of boys and men in Canada and the United States ( N = 1553). Multiple adjusted linear regression analyses were used to determine whether boys and men with probable muscle dysmorphia had higher scores on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation 18-Item (DERS-18) measure. Participants with probable muscle dysmorphia, compared to those without, had significantly higher total DERS-18 scores and scores on the goals, impulse, and nonacceptance subscales. These findings add to a small literature on emotion regulation abilities among individuals with muscle dysmorphia and build on the extensive literature documenting the association between emotion regulation difficulties and psychopathology. Clinicians can consider assessing emotion regulation among boys and men displaying muscle dysmorphia symptomatology. Targeting emotion regulation abilities in treatment may be effective at addressing the significant symptoms of muscle dysmorphia.