Digital Therapy Reduces Men's Body Image Anxiety Through Behavior Modification

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal *Cognitive Behaviour Therapy* on June 29, 2025, researchers have demonstrated that a digital intervention targeting appearance-related safety behaviors can significantly reduce body image anxiety among men. This innovative approach addresses common habits such as excessive mirror checking, seeking reassurance, and social avoidance, which contribute to psychological distress related to appearance.

The study, conducted by Tapan A. Patel, a PhD candidate, and Professor Jesse Cougle of Florida State University, involved a sample of 840 undergraduate students, assessing the prevalence and psychological impact of these behaviors across genders. The findings revealed that while women reported engaging in these safety behaviors more frequently, the psychological effects—namely anxiety, depression, and eating concerns—were similarly significant in both men and women.

"Individuals who are anxious about their appearance engage in behaviors that actually maintain their anxiety," stated Patel and Cougle. This assertion underscores the necessity of targeting these behaviors in therapeutic interventions.

Building on their initial findings, the researchers implemented a one-month digital intervention involving 40 men from the United States, primarily identifying as gay or bisexual. Participants received daily text messages prompting them to monitor and reduce their appearance-related safety behaviors. They completed questionnaires measuring anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and disordered eating symptoms before, during, and after the intervention. Follow-up assessments indicated that participants experienced significant reductions in appearance anxiety, social anxiety, depression, and disordered eating symptoms, with improvements lasting into the month following the intervention.

Moreover, the intervention proved more effective for men than for women in terms of reducing the frequency of safety behaviors, although both genders reported similar psychological benefits. However, the study noted higher dropout rates among male participants, suggesting a need for adaptations to enhance engagement among men in similar studies.

The implications of this research extend beyond immediate psychological relief; they present a model for scalable interventions that can be integrated into mobile applications, potentially reaching a broader audience struggling with body image issues. Patel and Cougle highlighted the importance of including diverse samples in future studies to explore how factors such as sexual orientation and gender identity might influence treatment efficacy.

The researchers aim to refine the intervention further and include men in randomized controlled trials to expand its applicability and effectiveness. If proven successful in larger, more diverse populations, this digital therapy could become a pivotal tool in addressing body image anxiety across genders, offering new hope for individuals grappling with these challenges.

Overall, this study signifies a critical advancement in understanding and treating body image concerns in men, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive approach in psychological research and interventions. The findings align with ongoing discussions in the field regarding the often-overlooked mental health issues faced by men, particularly concerning societal expectations around appearance and body image.