Examining moderators of the relation between body consciousness during sexual activity and disordered eating

ABSTRACT

Female undergraduates (N = 441) completed questionnaires about body consciousness during sexual activity, weight/shape concern, disordered eating (i.e. dietary restraint), self-objectification, and perfectionistic self-presentation. Controlling for weight/shape concern, body consciousness during sexual activity interacted with self-objectification and perfectionistic self-presentation to identify the level of dietary restraint. In comparing moderator models and including weight/shape concern in interaction with the proposed moderators, weight/shape concern interactions with self-objectification and perfectionistic self-presentation both remained important for dietary restraint. Findings elucidate points of intervention when working with clients exhibiting high levels of body consciousness during sexual activity, self-objectification, or perfectionistic self-presentation. Findings additionally highlight the importance of considering sexual experiences when working with clients exhibiting disordered eating.

KEYWORDS:

• Body consciousness during sexual activity
• self-objectification
• perfectionistic self-presentation
• disordered eating

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.