Body image, well-being and sexual satisfaction: A comparison between heterosexual and gay men

Abstract

The study examined the association of sexual satisfaction with sexual orientation, body image and well-being among 180 undergraduate male students. Recruitment for participation in the research was conducted in two settings: (1) research questionnaires were distributed during an introductory psychology lecture; and (2) in order to increase the participation of gay men, questionnaires were then distributed during a weekly meeting of a gay male student support group held at the university. A total of 75 (42%) participants defined themselves as gay, while 105 (58%) participants defined themselves as heterosexual. Results indicated that the gay men had lower levels of ideal body image, ideal – actual body image index (delta), and self-acceptance, as compared to the heterosexual men. The heterosexual men reported lower levels of autonomy and sexual satisfaction than the gay men.

Keywords:

• male
• sexual psychology
• gender issues