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Role of parental confirmation in body dissatisfaction and body change behaviors among college men

Abstract Objective To examine how the components of confirmation (i.e., acceptance and challenge) from mother and father have an indirect effect on college men’s body dissatisfaction through self-concept, and if body dissatisfaction, in turn, is related to body change behaviors. Participants: College men (N = 237) aged 18–25 from two large universities completed an online survey. Methods: Structural equation modeling was conducted to test hypothesized mediation model. Results: Maternal acceptance had negative indirect effects on body dissatisfaction through self-concept, and body dissatisfaction, in turn, was positively related to body change behaviors. Mother challenge emerged as a near-significant direct and positive predictor of muscularity enhancement behaviors. None of the paternal variables significantly contributed to the model. Conclusions: Mother acceptance may contribute to sons’ positive view of self and their appearance, potentially reducing the likelihood of their engagement in body change behaviors. Intervention can target parent–child communication and enhancement of college men’s self-concept.