Relationship Quality and Perceived Partner’s Body Appreciation Is Related to Women’s Own Body Appreciation and Sexual Functioning

Abstract

Research on body appreciation is limited, especially when examining its relationship to sexual functioning. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between body appreciation and sexual functioning, while measuring perceived partner’s body appreciation and general relationship quality. A sample of 244 women aged 18 to 30 completed measures of sexual functioning, relationship quality, and body image online. General relationship quality and perceived partner’s appreciation of one’s body predicted levels of sexual functioning. Levels of body appreciation did not predict sexual functioning over and above general relationship quality and perceived partner’s appreciation of one’s body. This study is the first to demonstrate the significance of general relationship quality and perceived partner’s body appreciation in relation to levels of body appreciation and sexual functioning. The findings highlight the importance of understanding body appreciation and its role in buffering the harmful impacts of viewing idealized images within the media.