Emotional Intelligence and Coping Strategies as Predictive Variables of Muscle Dysmorphia Symptoms in a Population of Men.

Abstract

The current study analyzes the relationship among the variables of muscle dysmorphia (MD) emotional intelligence (EI), and coping strategies (CS), as well as the role of EI and CS in predicting MD symptoms in 112 men between ages 18 and 30 years. The Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder Inventory, the Trait Meta-Mood Scale 24, and the COPE-28 questionnaire were used as measures. We calculated descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and linear regression. Results show that an inadequate EI (excessive emotional attention or a lack in both emotional clarity and repair) is related to higher levels of MD symptoms. Likewise, almost all maladaptive CS showed significant positive correlations with MD symptoms, whereas just one adaptive CS showed negative correlation with MD symptoms. Only some CS (acceptance, self-blame, and denial) were shown to be predictors of MD symptoms, and they accounted for 36% of the variance.