Effect of Sexual Esteem and Sexual Communication on the Relationship Between Body Image and Sexual Function in Chinese Heterosexual Women.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nSexual self-esteem and communication on sexual issues with a partner contribute greatly to an individual s quality of sex life; however, their effects on the relationship between body image and sexual function are underexplored.\n\n\nAIM\nTo test a serial mediating pathway of sexual self-esteem and sexual communication underlying the relationship between body image and sexual function.\n\n\nMETHODS\nA total of 510 women aged 18-53\xa0years (mean\xa0=\xa028, SD\xa0=\xa05.5) who were involved in an intimate relationship completed an online survey.\n\n\nOUTCOMES\nWomen s (i) body appreciation, (ii) body image self-consciousness during sexual intimacy, (iii) sexual self-esteem, (iv) dyadic sexual communication, (v) negative disclosure apprehension, and (vi) sexual function were assessed.\n\n\nRESULTS\nFindings revealed that sexual self-esteem and dyadic sexual communication played a serial mediating role in the relationship between body image (body appreciation and body image self-consciousness during sexual intimacy) and sexual function, and the relationship between body image and arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Sexual self-esteem and negative disclosure apprehension also played a serial mediating role in the relationship between body image and sexual pain. In addition, dyadic sexual communication played a unique mediating role in the relationship between body image and sexual function, which is isolated from the effect of sexual self-esteem.\n\n\nCLINICAL IMPLICATIONS\nWomen s sexual self-esteem and sexual communication with their partner can make beneficial contributions to the relationship between body image and sexual function. Therefore, promoting women s positive body image, sexual self-esteem, and sexual communication skills deserves attention from women themselves and clinicians.\n\n\nSTRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS\nThis study used a robust method of data analysis to test the mediating effect of sexual self-esteem and sexual communication to clarify the mechanism underlying the relationship between body image and sexual function among Chinese women; however, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. Furthermore, various demographics including participants age, education level, sexual orientation-factors such as relationship status and length, relationship functioning, and partner-related variables-and other aspects of sexual self-concept and sexual communication should be examined in future research.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe current study indicates that women s thoughts and feelings regarding sexuality and communicating sexual issues with their partner are associated closely with their body image and sexual function. T Wu, Y Zheng. Effect of Sexual Esteem and Sexual Communication on the Relationship Between Body Image and Sexual Function in Chinese Heterosexual Women. J Sex Med 2021;XX:XXX-XXX.