Social Culture: Gym Culture and #GymToks Effects on Young Males
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Jenna Elbanna
College:
The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major:
Speech-Language Pathology
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Sharmistha Das Iyer
Abstract:
Gym culture and #GymTok are linkages to masculine ideals, dissatisfaction with body image, suicide, and unhealthy gym culture. #Gymtok has not been unpacked in terms of its effects on the mental and physical health of young males. The study surveyed a total of 51 male participants between the ages of 18-24 who attend the gym three times a week or more and have videos with #GymTok frequently on their “For You Page.” The participants answered a Google form regarding gym culture and #GymTok’s negative effects on young males. The study sought to find: Toxic Masculinity Rooted in Gym Culture, Dissatisfaction with Weight/Shape, Links Between Societal Ideal Body Type & Inflexible Dieting, Links Between #GymTok Negative Self Body Image & Inflexible Dieting, Links Between Suicidal Thoughts & Attempted Suicide, Feelings of No Sense of Belonging & #GymTok Negative Mental Health, and Gym Culture (Avoid Social Interaction) & #Gymtok (Not Doing Enough). Muscle dysmorphia was found inconclusive, but it is believed that if the correct scale was used, the research participants would have shown symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. The results confirmed there is a positive link between [TM], [BI], and unhealthy gym culture, but there was no correlation regarding suicide. This article claims to contribute valuable knowledge to the issues relating to toxic masculinity, body dissatisfaction, suicide, and the destructive culture concerning #GymTok and gym culture.
Keywords: Males, Unhealthy Gym Culture, #GymTok, Toxic Masculinity, Body Image, Suicide.