Written by Amy Cachia
Sexual satisfaction can be defined as “an affective response arising from one’s subjective evaluation of the positive and negative dimensions associated with one’s sexual relationship” (Lawrence & Byers, 1995). These dimensions involve intrapersonal experiences, for instance, how often one orgasms during sex, and the experiences of the partner, such as if the partner consistently has erections during sex. Including relationship-related aspects of sexuality, for example how often a couple has sex. A particular aspect that has been shown through research to affect one’s sexual satisfaction is body image (i.e. the mental picture that one creates of their body as a whole, including both its physical characteristics and one’s attitudes towards these particular characteristics).
The Difference between Positive and Negative Body Image in Sexual Satisfaction
Positive body image involves a broad concept of beauty where one accepts one’s whole body for both how it looks and its functions. “Individuals with higher body satisfaction have more frequent sexual experiences, engage in wider range of sexual activities, feel more sexually desirable, and report fewer sexual difficulties” (Penhollow & Young, 2008).
On the other hand, a negative body image is when one does not accept and feel comfortable with their body and appearance, and may even see parts of their body in a distorted way. In fact, people with a negative body image were less likely to engage in sexual intercourse, or otherwise under limited circumstances such as at night or only while still wearing a shirt, due to the increased focus on the body during sexual activity. As well as more likely to engage in behaviours which reduce sexual satisfaction, for instance, connecting negative cognitions and emotions such as body shame to sexual experiences.
In particular, in adolescence, which ranges from when we are 10 years old till 19 years old, one’s body image concerns increase, along with its importance in romantic relationships and one’s sexual self-concept. This is due to puberty, an increase in self-focus and social comparison, and a change in social relationships. In fact, a study By Seiffge-Krenke et al., (2015) found that one’s body satisfaction during adolescence predicted romantic attachment as a young adult, which suggests that if one has a positive body evaluation during adolescence this can increase their confidence for later intimate relationships. Especially if there is greater sexual interest on behalf of the potential or actual sexual partners, which reinforces one’s previously established body satisfaction.
Even being in a romantic relationship in itself has been related to sexual satisfaction and less body self-consciousness during sexual activity, when compared to single men and women. However, whilst one’s partner can promote positive body images they can also encourage body image concerns. Furthermore, even though masturbation frequency decreases in a committed relationship, it is still linked with sexual satisfaction in both men and women as it allows one to explore sexual preferences in a comfortable space. This is crucial especially since a lack of familiarity with one’s own genitalia, especially amongst women, can sometimes be linked to one having orgasmic difficulties.
Other Factors
Mental Health
Mental health problems have been found to have a large effect on both sexual and body satisfaction. With regards to sexual satisfaction, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression have both been related to a reduction of sexual functioning and relationship factors. Additionally, a negative body image in early adolescence has also been proposed to be related to mental health problems, for instance, depressive symptoms. A study by Griffiths et al. (2016), has found a higher association between body satisfaction and mental health problems for men in comparison to women, which could be due to body dissatisfaction being considered a “female issue” which in consequence, discourages men to speak and seek help for their image concerns.
Body Weight and Size
Body weight also, has been found to be related to both appearance and sexual factors, especially as body weight increases from adolescence to adulthood, which impacts one’s body satisfaction development. A high body mass index (BMI) has been linked to sexually avoidant behaviour, a lower interest in sex, and limited sexual experience. It should also, be taken into account that a young adult male’s BMI can increase due to an increase in muscle mass, which may encourage body evaluation towards the opposite direction.
Research has proposed that men’s body dissatisfaction is linked to feeling underweight instead of overweight, due not fulfilling the “Adonis complex of attractiveness” which encourages men to have a muscular, lean body. With regards to women, it has been suggested that a woman’s perceptions and cognitions about her own body size, instead of her actual body size, may impact her experiences with sexuality. Therefore, challenging one’s own irrational perceptions and shame about one’s body may be beneficial for women who are sexually dissatisfied.
Conclusion
Therefore, this relationship brings to light a new area to explore in both relationships and therapy. Practitioners on one hand, should consider assessing’ the client’s body image and how their distress and distraction of their bodies may be impacting their sexual satisfaction in regardless of their sexual function. As well as both men and women alike should be motivated to bring up their body concerns in their sexual relationships as to decrease these body concerns which in return can also improve the sexual relationship between them. Especially since this impacts the relationship on the whole, as research has shown a decrease in sexual satisfaction across time increases the likelihood of divorce.