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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDBioPsychoSocial medicine

Androgynous identity predicts body appreciation in Japanese sport science majors: examining the roles of sport type and competitive level.

  • Wenjing Cheng1
  • Masashi Kawanishi2
  • Katsumi Mori3
  • Rie Yamada4
  • Tomoaki Seki5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Graduate School of Physical Education, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, 1 Shiromizucho, Kanoya, Kagoshima, 891-2311, Japan. [email protected].
  2. 2Graduate School of Lifelong Sport, Hokusho University, 23 Bunkyodai, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8511, Japan.
  3. 3National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, 1 Shiromizucho, Kanoya, Kagoshima, 891-2311, Japan.
  4. 4Kagoshima University-Inamori Academy, 1-21-30 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan.
  5. 5Graduate School of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1 Mizumotocho, Muroran, Hokkaido, 050-8585, Japan.
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Abstract

This study investigated predictors of body appreciation among Japanese sport science majors, focusing on the roles of androgynous identity, sport type, and competitive level within a culturally distinct context. A sample of 240 university students (170 male, 70 female) completed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and the Body Appreciation Scale-2. Results indicated that androgynous individuals reported the highest body appreciation, significantly exceeding other gender role groups, while undifferentiated individuals scored the lowest. Male participants exhibited higher body appreciation than females across all roles. A significant interaction revealed female team-sport athletes had lower body appreciation than those in individual or hybrid sports, a difference not observed in males. Regression analyses showed national medalists had higher body appreciation, but competitive level did not moderate the gender role effects. Our conclusions underscore the protective role of an androgynous identity in Japan's gendered sports culture and highlight unique pressures faced by female team-sport athletes, informing targeted interventions.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{cheng2026androgynous,
  title = {{Androgynous identity predicts body appreciation in Japanese sport science majors: examining the roles of sport type and competitive level.}},
  author = {Wenjing Cheng and Masashi Kawanishi and Katsumi Mori and Rie Yamada and Tomoaki Seki},
  journal = {BioPsychoSocial medicine},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1186/s13030-026-00365-z},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908012},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Androgynous identity predicts body appreciation in Japanese sport science majors: examining the roles of sport type and competitive level.
AU  - Wenjing Cheng
AU  - Masashi Kawanishi
AU  - Katsumi Mori
AU  - Rie Yamada
AU  - Tomoaki Seki
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
JO  - BioPsychoSocial medicine
DO  - 10.1186/s13030-026-00365-z
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908012
AB  - This study investigated predictors of body appreciation among Japanese sport science majors, focusing on the roles of androgynous identity, sport type, and competitive level within a culturally distinct context. A sample of 240 university students (170 male, 70 female) completed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and the Body Appreciation Scale-2. Results indicated that androgynous individuals reported the highest body appreciation, significantly exceeding other gender role groups, while undifferentiated individuals scored the lowest. Male participants exhibited higher body appreciation than females across all roles. A significant interaction revealed female team-sport athletes had lower body appreciation than those in individual or hybrid sports, a difference not observed in males. Regression analyses showed national medalists had higher body appreciation, but competitive level did not moderate the gender role effects. Our conclusions underscore the protective role of an androgynous identity in Japan's gendered sports culture and highlight unique pressures faced by female team-sport athletes, informing targeted interventions.
SN  - 1751-0759
ER  -