Associations between Genital Self-Image and Individuals’ Own and Perceived Partner Sexual Satisfaction

Abstract

Negative genital self-image is linked with lower sexual satisfaction, but no research has examined its association with perceptions of partners’ sexual satisfaction. In two studies (N = 475, N = 234), we examined links between genital self-image and own and individuals’ perceived partner sexual satisfaction. In the second study, we tested whether a mindfulness intervention moderated these associations. In both studies, more negative genital self-image was significantly associated with individuals’ lower own and perceived partner sexual satisfaction concurrently and over a two-week period. Mindfulness intervention exposure did not moderate associations. Findings support negative genital self-image as a risk factor for sexual dissatisfaction.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Data availability statement

All data are available on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/hqzd5/). Study materials are also available on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/cymrb/).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by a UBC Hampton New Faculty Research Grant and an Insight Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) awarded to S. J. Dawson [grant ID GR023053]. S. Y. Goldberg and K. M. K. O’Kane were supported by a SSHRC CGS-M Scholarship and E. T. Fitzpatrick was supported by the Guiding Interdisciplinary Research on Cisgender and Transgender Women and Girls’ Health and Well-being (GROWW) Scholarship. G. E. Jang was supported by a Quinn Undergraduate Research Award. K. N. Bouchard was supported by a Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute Investigator Award. S. J. Dawson was supported by a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award.