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Men who are excessively concerned with their body are more likely to experience low self-esteem, negative affect, distress, depression, and use of performance-enhancing substance, with deleterious effects on their general psychological functioning ( Olivardia et al., 2004 Grossbard et al., 2009). Some research suggests that men’s body image is linked to their well-being ( Swami et al., 2018). Italian fashion has contributed to the proposition of a more flexible and less rigidly regulated model of masculinity ( Mora, 2007) in general, great attention to the body is paid by Italian men ( Ruspini, 2007). Nevertheless, nowadays alongside the traditional image of the virile and powerful man, a new type of masculinity has emerged ( Boni, 2004, 2007), the so-called ‘metrosexual’ man, who is particularly concerned with the care of the body, is a strong consumer of cosmetics, and is interested in aesthetics ( Capellani et al., 2014). The traditional Italian stereotype of men is one of strength and virility in this context, muscularity has been traditionally linked to the concept of masculinity ( Fabris et al., 2017). Even in the Italian context, the body standard for men is more muscular than the average male body shape ( Zelli et al., 2010 Gilli and Ruspini, 2014). The internalization of appearance ideals ( Grammas and Schwartz, 2009 Daniel and Bridges, 2010 Cramblitt and Pritchard, 2013) has been identified as a significant predictor of men’s body dissatisfaction ( Karazsia and Crowther, 2010) the more men internalize appearance societal ideals as personal standards, the higher body dissatisfaction they are likely to experience ( Tylka, 2011). Having an athletic physique is increasingly important for men, who aspire to a body ideal that is more muscular than their actual one ( Frederick et al., 2007 Tiggemann et al., 2007). These kinds of programs could be especially useful for gay men, who are more likely to experience body dissatisfaction and, in turn, poor psychological functioning. To improve broad aspects of men’s well-being, prevention and treatment programs should be directed to increase men’s ability to resist different forms of pressure, including that of their peers. Peer attributions, but not appearance conversations, were also directly linked to well-being. Peer attributions and appearance conversations predicted well-being through the mediation of athletic internalization and body dissatisfaction. Teasing about muscularity predicted men’s eudaimonic well-being both directly and via muscularity dissatisfaction. Path analysis indicated that sexual orientation was linked to eudaimonic well-being via muscularity dissatisfaction. Participants (385 Italian men with a mean age of 28.61 years, SD = 9.65) completed a questionnaire assessing the variables of interest. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the relationship between men’s dissatisfaction with muscularity and well-being, conceptualized in terms of the realization of one’s true potential and the experience of purpose or meaning in life (i.e., eudaimonic well-being), considering also the role of sexual orientation and peer influence. Having a lean and athletic physique is increasingly important for Italian men. 2Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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1Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.Camilla Matera 1*, Amanda Nerini 1 and Cristina Stefanile 2