summary: A new study reveals a significant association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and muscle dysmorphic disorder symptoms in adolescents and young adults.
This study highlights how ACEs such as domestic violence and emotional abuse can lead to a pathological pursuit of muscle power as a coping mechanism. The study found that boys and young men who experienced five or more ACEs were particularly at risk for muscle dysmorphic disorder symptoms.
This finding highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing the impact of childhood trauma on mental health and body image.
Important facts:
- Adolescents who experience ACEs are more likely to exhibit symptoms of muscle dysmorphic disorder.
- ACEs can cause body dissatisfaction, especially related to muscularity.
- Gender plays a role, with boys and young men being more affected by ACEs in the development of muscle dysmorphic disorder.
sauce: University of Toronto
New research published in Clinical Social Work Journal found that adolescents and young adults who experienced an adverse childhood experience (ACE) before age 18 were significantly more likely to experience symptoms of muscle dysmorphic disorder.
These new findings build on previous research finding that more than half of children and adolescents in North America experience at least one adverse childhood experience in their lifetime. Violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse) and muscle dysmorphia (pathological pursuit of muscles) are linked.
“People who have had adverse childhood experiences may engage in the pursuit of muscularity to compensate for previous experiences in which they felt inferior, small, or at risk, and to protect themselves from future harm.” “There’s a strong correlation between the two,” said lead author Dr. Kyle T. Ganson. MSW is an Assistant Professor in the Factor-Inwentas School of Social Work at the University of Toronto.
“Adverse childhood experiences can increase body dissatisfaction, especially muscle dissatisfaction, which is a key feature of muscle dysmorphia.”
Previous research has shown that adverse childhood experiences can lead to negative health outcomes. Previous research has shown that adverse childhood experiences are very common in people with eating disorders and body dysmorphia, but adverse childhood experiences and muscle dysmorphia are Few studies have examined the association with disability.
Researchers in this study analyzed data from more than 900 adolescents and young adults who participated in the Canadian Adolescent Health Behavior Study. A total of 16% of participants who experienced five or more adverse childhood experiences were at clinical risk for muscle dysmorphic disorder, indicating that such experiences have a significant traumatic impact on mental health and well-being. It became clear that there was a possibility of giving.
“Importantly, our study found that gender was an important factor in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and muscle dysmorphic disorder symptoms,” Ganson says.
“Boys and young men studied who had five or more adverse childhood experiences had significantly greater symptoms of muscle dysmorphia than girls and young women.”
The authors note that boys and young men who have had adverse childhood experiences may feel that their masculinity is threatened by those experiences. Therefore, they engage in muscular pursuits to demonstrate compliance with masculine gender norms such as dominance, aggression, and power.
“It is important for health professionals to assess symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, such as muscle dissatisfaction and dysfunction related to exercise habits and body image, among young people who have had adverse childhood experiences, especially boys and young men. “It is important that we do so,” concludes Professor Ganson.
About body dysmorphic disorder and childhood trauma research news
author: dale duncan
sauce: University of Toronto
contact: Dale Duncan – University of Toronto
image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Closed access.
“Adverse childhood experiences and muscle dysmorphic disorder symptoms: Findings from a sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults.Written by Kyle T. Gunson et al. Clinical Social Work Journal
abstract
Adverse childhood experiences and muscle dysmorphic disorder symptoms: Findings from a sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are relatively common among the general population and have been shown to be associated with eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder. Whether ACE is associated with muscle dysmorphia is still relatively unknown.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between ACEs and muscular dysmorphic disorder symptoms in a sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults. A community sample of 912 adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 30 from across Canada participated in this study.
Participants completed a 15-item measure of ACEs (categorized as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more) and muscle dysmorphic disorder. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between the number of ACEs experienced and muscle dysmorphia symptoms.
Participants who experienced five or more ACEs had more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia and also more symptoms related to appearance intolerance and functional impairment compared to participants who did not experience ACEs. I saw a lot.
There was no association between ACE and Drive for Size symptoms. Participants who experienced five or more ACEs (16.1%) had a clinical risk of muscle dysmorphia (p = 0.018) compared to 10.6% of participants who did not experience ACEs.
Experience of ACEs, particularly five or more ACEs, was significantly associated with muscle dysmorphic disorder symptoms, extending previous research on eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorder. Social workers should consider screening for muscle dysmorphic disorder symptoms in adolescents and young adults who have experienced ACEs.