Study of Body Image in Fertile and Infertile Men

Akhondi, Mohammad Mehdi; Dadkhah, Asghar; Bagherpour, Ahmad; Behjati Ardakani, Zohreh; Kamali, Kourosh; Binaafar, Sima; Kosari, Haleh; Ghorbani, Behzad

Study of Body Image in Fertile and Infertile Men

Authors

Mohammad Mehdi Akhondi ¹

Asghar Dadkhah ²

Ahmad Bagherpour ²

Zohreh Behjati Ardakani ¹

Kourosh Kamali ¹

Sima Binaafar ¹

Haleh Kosari ¹

Behzad Ghorbani ¹

¹ Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Clinical Psychology, University of welfare & Rehabilitation, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Body Image as a multidimensional entity is related to both physical and psychological aspects of the image one has of his or her own body. Lack/absence of an acceptable body image is one of the reasons of mental distress in infertile individuals. Methods: In this study, an equal number (No=120) of fertile and infertile men attending Avicenna Infertility Clinic (AIC) were enrolled. The participants were compared in regard to body image variables based on the "Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ)" consisting of 10 subscales. Data was analyzed by SPSS, version 11.5, using Chi square and independent t-tests. Results: Fertile men had a more positive body image as compared to infertile individuals. Significant statistical differences were observed when body image subscales were compared in both groups; in other words appearance evaluation, appearance orientation, Novy, health evaluation, health orientation, illness orientation, body satisfaction, overweight preoccupation and self-classified weight showed differences, while no significant difference was observed in regard to fitness orientation. Conclusion: It seems that the ability and efficiency of body image is affected by infertility leading to dissatisfaction of one’s body image.

Keywords

body image

Infertility

Multidimensional Body

Self Relations Questionnaire

Self perception

Humphreys P, Paxton SJ. Impact of exposure to idealised male images on adolescent boys' body image. Body Image. 2004;1(3):253-66.

Edwards S, Launder C. Investigating muscularity concerns in male body image: development of the Swansea Muscularity Attitudes Questionnaire. Int J Eat Disord. 2000;28(1):120-4.

Connolly KJ, Edelmann RJ, Cooke ID, Robson J. The impact of infertility on psychological functioning. J Psychosom Res. 1992;36(5):459-68.

Smolak L, Levine MP, Thompson JK. The use of the sociocultural attitudes towards appearance questionnaire with middle school boys and girls. Int J Eat Disord. 2001;29(2):216-23.

Durand RJ, Castracane VD, Hollander DB, Tryniecki JL, Bamman MM, O'Neal S, et al. Hormonal responses from concentric and eccentric muscle contractions. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;35(6):937-43.

Younesi SJ, Salagegheh A. [Body image in fertile and infertile women]. J Reprod Infertil. 2001;2(4): 14-21. Persian.

Fingeret MC, Gleaves DH. Sociocultural, feminist, and psychological influences on women's body satisfaction: a structural modeling analyss. Psychol Women Q. 2004;28(4):370-80.

Agliata D, Tantleff-Dunn S. The impact of media exposure on males’ body image. J Soc Clin Psychol. 2004;23(1):7-22.

Wheeler L. Individual differences in social comparison. In: Suls JM, Wheeler L. Handbook of social comparison: theory and research. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum; 2000. p. 141-58.

Naseri Tafti N, Pakdaman Sh, Asgari A. [The role of sport and personality traits in psychological development of students]. J Iran Psychol. 2008;5(1): 53-62. Persian.

Cooper-Hilbert B. Infertility and involuntary childlessness: helping couples cope. New York: Norton; 2001. p. 82-98

Haber D. Life review: implementation, theory, research, and therapy. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 2006; 63(2):153-71.

Cash TF. The multidimensional body-self relations questionnaire. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Washington DC: National Health Interview Survey; 2002.

O'Dea JA, Caputi P. Association between socioeconomic status, weight, age and gender, and the body image and weight control practices of 6 to 19-year-old children and adolescents. Health Educ Res. 2001;16(5):521-32.

Connolly KJ, Edelmann RJ, Coke I. Distress and marital problems associated with infertility. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 1987;5(1):49-57.doi: 10.1080/02646838708403473#preview

Salter M. Altered body images. 2nd ed. London: Baillier; 1997. p. 78-85.

Daniluk J. Gender and infertility. In: Leiblum SR. Infertility. New York: John Wiley and Sons; 2001. p. 43-50.

Gibson DM, Myers JE. Gender and Infertility: A Relational Approach To Counseling Women. J Couns Dev. 2000;7(4):400-10.

Cash TF. The psychology of physical appearance: aesthetics, attributes, and images. In: Cash TF, Pruzinsky T, editors. Body images: development, deviance, and change. New York: Guilford Press; 1990. p. 112-25.

Humphreys P, Paxton SJ. Impact of exposure to idealised male images on adolescent boys’ body image. Body Image. 2004;1(3):253-66.

Menning BE. The emotional needs of infertile couples. Fertil Steril. 1980;34(4):313-9.

Greil AL. Infertility and psychological distress: a critical review of the literature. Soc Sci Med. 1997; 45(11):1679-704.

Nasseri M. Cultural similarities in psychological reactions to infertility. Psychol Rep. 2000;86(2): 375-8.

Lee SH, Kuo BJ. Chinese traditional childbearing attitudes and infertile couples in Taiwan. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2000;32(1):54.doi: 10.1111/j.15475069.2000.00054.x/abstract

Mahlstedt PP. The psychological component of infertility. Fertil Steril. 1985;43(3):335-46.