Objectification, relationship satisfaction, and self-consciousness during physical intimacy in bisexual women

ABSTRACT

Scant research has investigated the romantic and sexual relationships of bisexual women and factors that may contribute to relationship quality. This study investigated the mediating roles of body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction on the relations between objectified body consciousness and self-consciousness during physical intimacy with a partner in a sample of 217 bisexual women (87% White, 77% had men as primary partners, social class ranged from very low income to upper class). Women in romantic relationships with men reported less relationship satisfaction than women in romantic relationships with women. Consistent with the hypothesized structural model, both body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction mediated the relations of objectified body consciousness with self-consciousness during physical intimacy. As objectified body consciousness increased, body dissatisfaction increased; this, in turn, was associated with greater self-consciousness during physical intimacy. In addition, as objectified body consciousness increased, relationship satisfaction decreased, predicting greater self-consciousness during physical intimacy. Implications of these findings for sex and relationship therapists are presented, as are directions for future research.

KEYWORDS:

• Body dissatisfaction
• objectification
• bisexual women
• body self-consciousness
• relationship satisfaction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan Kashubeck-West

Susan Kashubeck-West, PhD, is Associate Chair and Professor in the Department of Education Science and Professional Programs at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Michelle Zeilman

Michelle Zeilman, MEd, received her Master's in counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and is in private practice.

Cori Deitz

Cori Deitz, PhD, is a counselor and Coordinator of Online Services at the Counseling and Psychological Services at Eastern Washington University.