Associations between sexting behaviours and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology among a Canadian sample of young adults

Sexting is increasingly prevalent among young adults and has been linked to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. However, its relationship with muscle dysmorphia symptoms remains unexplored. This study investigates the association between sexting behaviours and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology in a Canadian sample of young adults aged 18-30 (N = 878). Participants reported their sexting activities over the past 12 months and completed the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) to assess muscle dysmorphia symptomatology. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed significant associations between receiving unsolicited photo and video sexts and greater overall muscle dysmorphia symptomatology. Sending photo sexts was also associated with greater total muscle dysmorphia symptoms, Drive for Size, and Functional Impairment. Sending video sexts, however, was associated with greater Drive for Size subscale scores only. Asking for photo sexts was associated with greater total muscle dysmorphia symptoms and Drive for Size, while asking for video sexts did not show any significant associations. None of the sexting behaviours studied were significantly associated with the Appearance Intolerance subscale. These findings suggest that sexting may be associated with muscularity-related body image concerns among young adults, potentially through sociocultural processes prevalent in digital contexts, such as exposure to idealized body norms, appearance-based social comparisons, and the pursuit of external validation via image-based body portrayals. This study contributes to the growing literature on the relationships between online engagement and body image, emphasizing the need for future research and targeted interventions to address the unique societal experiences of young adults in an increasingly technological world.