Does Pluralistic Ignorance Influence the Relationship Between Community Involvement and Body Image Concerns in Gay Men

Researchers have found that a disproportionate percentage of men diagnosed with eating disorders identify as gay, and there is extensive evidence that gay men have significantly more body image concerns than heterosexual men. Researchers have proposed several theories to explain why this phenomenon is occurring, including a sociocultural factors theory that posits gay culture and gay media place a heightened emphasis on obtaining a mesomorphic (i.e., lean and muscular) appearance. However, debate continues about which factors may differentiate between gay men who are active in the gay community but do not feel dissatisfied with their bodies and those who are active in the community and do feel unhappy with their weight and muscularity. The current study posited that pluralistic ignorance about what is considered attractive in the gay community may be a factor that influences the relationship between gay community involvement and body image concerns. It was hypothesized that gay males would privately reject the notion that only a mesomorphic body type is attractive, yet incorrectly assume that their peers are attracted primarily to a mesomorphic body type. Two samples of gay male participants completed measures to determine whether such pluralistic ignorance exists, and if so, whether it mediates the relationship between gay community involvement and body image concerns. The study found robust evidence for the existence of pluralistic ignorance about what is considered attractive in the gay community. Although there was evidence for a significant association between pluralistic ignorance and body image concerns, there were no significant associations between most of the factors in the proposed mediation model between gay community involvement, pluralistic ignorance, and body image concerns. Potential explanations and implications are explored.