Perceived body image and sexual satisfaction : the importance of partner views and reinforcement in intimate relations
Year: 2015
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Combined with the rising rates of body image dissatisfaction and low self-esteem in \nwomen, the strong association between sexual behaviors and body image should be considered a \nsignificant concern in human health and sexuality (Ackard, Kearney-Cooke, & Peterson, 1999). \nToo often researchers focus on only half of the relationship, only assessing the body image \nsatisfaction of the participants in the study rather than incorporating the perception of the \nparticipant’s partner (Steer & Tiggemann, 2008). The current study is designed to explore the \nrelationship between the participant’s body image, the perceived partner’s satisfaction with the \nparticipant’s body (PPS), verbal feedback, and the participant’s sexual satisfaction. Participants \nwere 492 men and women in heterosexual relationships lasting more than three months with ages \nranging from 18 to 72 years(M = 26.70; SD = 9.73) recruited from a university affiliated email \nand social media(Facebook and Reddit). Analyses revealed significant correlations between \nsexual satisfaction, body image, PPS, and verbal feedback. T-tests with bonferroni corrections \nrevealed significant gender differences, with men reporting higher body image satisfaction, but \nlower PPS and verbal feedback than women. Finally, step-wise regression analyses revealed that \nbody image did not account for the most variance when also considering partner opinions, \nsuggesting a need for further investigation between various components of partner opinion about \nthe individual’s body (partner satisfaction and verbal feedback) and sexual satisfaction.
Author: Carin K. Smith
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2511759796