Document Type
Thesis
First Faculty Advisor
Ronald Deluga
Second Faculty Advisor
Laura Kohl
Keywords
gym anxiety; gender; college; mental health; body image
Publisher
Bryant University
Rights Management
CC-BY-NC-SA
Abstract
College females who attend the gym struggle with self-perception as they are surrounded by men who may be stronger and seem intimidating. This ultimately leads to feelings of self-consciousness and anxiety in college aged females that attend the gym. This paper analyzes the relationship women have formed with the gym, as well as how attending the gym can cause feelings of discomfort for many women. Women have experienced a fear of unwanted attention, lack of knowledge with certain equipment and exercises, and judgment from themselves, as well as other gym-goers. The study uses a self-report survey, and the collected data was used to determine how gender differences in the gym affect the mental health and body image perception of female college students. The results from the study reveal possible reasons why college aged females experience gym anxiety.
