Predictors of future anxiety about male pattern baldness : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Abstract

This exploratory study examined potential predictors of future anxiety in young men about Male Pattern Baldness (MPB). The participants were 173 men aged between 18 years and 35 years who had not yet experienced significant personal hair loss. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire which measured psychosocial independent variables using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory – Trait scale, the Appearance Orientation subscale and the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, the Locus of Control Scale, the Revised Self-Consciousness Scale, Texas Social Behavior Inventory – Short form A. A stable and consistent scale of future anxiety specific to Male Pattern Baldness was developed for the present study to measure the dependent variable. Of the psychosocial variables, trait anxiety, appearance orientation, private self- consciousness and powerful others locus of control, together accounted for 22.8% of the variance in future anxiety about MPB in this sample. Four proposed determinants of future anxiety in general were also evaluated for their predictive power of future anxiety specific to MPB. These were perceived likelihood of personal hair loss in the future, imminence of expected hair loss, subjectively perceived undesirability of MPB, and confidence in personal ability to cope with MPB. When added to the pool of potential predictors a new combination with additional predictive power was produced which included confidence in personal ability to cope with MPB, undesirability of MPB, trait anxiety, and powerful others locus of control. In combination these variables accounted for 45.3% of the variance in future anxiety about MPB in this sample.