Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Social Psychology

Positive body image linked to better — and safer — sex

by Eric W. Dolan
February 9, 2019
in Social Psychology
(Photo credit: llhedgehogll)

(Photo credit: llhedgehogll)

[Subscribe to PsyPost on YouTube to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Having a positive body image isn’t just associated with greater sexual desire and self-esteem — according to a new scientific review, it’s also associated with better sexual communication and safer sex.

“As a body image researcher, I’ve always been interested in the connection between body image and sexuality. It seems intuitive and both body image and sexuality are important parts of adults’ lives. Yet, there is not much research on this topic, particularly among men,” said study author Meghan M. Gillen, an associate professor of psychology at Penn State Abington.

“This review piece was written to summarize what has been found in this area, and to highlight the contributions of Dr. Thomas Cash to this field. Dr. Cash is a prolific body image scholar and former editor of the journal Body Image.”

The review indicated that having a positive body image is associated with improvements in one’s sex life. Women who are more satisfied with their appearance tend to initiate sex more often and report more orgasms during sex, while both men and women with a better body image tend to be more comfortable discussing sexual topics with a partner.

Studies have also found that women with greater body shame and dissatisfaction report more unprotected sex and are more likely to mix substance use and sexual activity.

“Positive body image is associated with a variety of adaptive sexual experiences such as safer sex, sexual desire, sexual functioning, communication about sex, and comfort with sex. Body dissatisfaction is associated with a variety of negative sexual experiences,” Gillen told PsyPost.

But there was an exception to this trend. A 2003 study found that women who were pursuing breast augmentation reported higher dissatisfaction with their breasts. Despite this dissatisfaction, they reported higher sexual functioning compared to women not pursuing breast augmentation.

The review also highlighted some gaps in the literature. The research thus far has mostly focused on young heterosexual women and few studies have used longitudinal designs.

“It’s important to keep in mind that these associations are correlational. That is, we don’t know if, for example, if more positive body image causes more positive sexual experiences, or if more positive sexual experiences cause more positive body image,” Gillen explained.

“More research is needed to understand the associations between body image and sexual well-being among men, as well as in special populations such as individuals who are pregnant, postpartum, disabled, disfigured, or ill.”

The study, “A review of research linking body image and sexual well-being“, was authored by Meghan M. Gillen and Charlotte H. Markey.

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePin2Send

NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

One in four people may experience estrangement from a sibling in adulthood, study finds

New study shows how mindfulness can benefit our romantic relationships

The fascinating neuroscience behind dreaming

Cognitive control serves to override the moral default in both honesty and dishonesty

Women are more attracted to men with tougher facial features when facing uncertainty, study finds

New psychology research reveals men’s motives for sending unsolicited dick pics

RECENT

Parents with more difficult childhoods are more likely to spank their children, study finds

Study suggests partisan resentment is bad for your health

The fascinating neuroscience behind dreaming

New study shows how mindfulness can benefit our romantic relationships

New study sheds light on how scarcity is experienced across different sociodemographic groups

One in four people may experience estrangement from a sibling in adulthood, study finds

Cognitive control serves to override the moral default in both honesty and dishonesty

The passage of anti-transgender legislation increases internet searches for “suicide” and “depression”

Currently Playing

Individuals with dark personality traits are less oriented towards long-term mating strategies

Disclosing victim status reduces online dating matches regardless of race or sex

Individuals with dark personality traits are less oriented towards long-term mating strategies

Dark Triad
Longitudinal study examines the effects of adversity on wise reasoning

New study examines the psychological mechanisms underlying Solomon’s paradox

Social Psychology
Engaging in religious practice, even if you don’t believe, may increase your capacity to delay gratification

Engaging in religious practice, even if you don’t believe, may increase your capacity to delay gratification

Cognitive Science
New study sheds light on how three distinct types of first impressions predict subsequent dating outcomes

New study sheds light on how three distinct types of first impressions predict subsequent dating outcomes

Relationships and Sexual Health
A single, moderate dose of psilocybin reduces depressive symptoms for at least two weeks, controlled study finds

A single, moderate dose of psilocybin reduces depressive symptoms for at least two weeks, controlled study finds

Depression
Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Mental Health
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • About PsyPost
    • Contact us
  • Privacy policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.