Meghan M. Gillen

Religiosity sexual behaviors and sexual attitudes during emerging adulthood.

The current study examined associations between religiosity and sexual behaviors and attitudes during emerging adulthood. Two hundred and five emerging adults completed surveys about five aspects of their religiosity (group affiliation, attendance at religious services, attitudes, perceptions of negative sanctions, and adherence to sanctions) and their sexual behaviors (abstinence, age of onset, lifetime partners, condom use) and attitudes (conservative attitudes, perceived vulnerability to HIV, and condom‐related beliefs). Associations were found between the measures of religiosity and sexuality, although the patterns differed by measures used. Religious behavior was the strongest predictor of sexual behavior. Many aspects of religiosity were associated with general sexual attitudes, which was not the case for perceived vulnerability to HIV and condom‐related beliefs. The findings support reference group theory and highlight the importance of considering the specific constructs of religiosity and sexuality assessed in studies of these topics.

Associations between positive body image and indicators of men's and women's mental and physical health.

Positive body image has been found to be associated with various beneficial health-related indicators among women. Yet, less is known about its health-related correlates among men. The goal of the current study was to examine associations between positive body image and various mental and physical health-related indicators in both men and women. Undergraduate students (N=284) from a non-residential college in the northeastern United States participated. Individuals with greater positive body image reported less depression, higher self-esteem, fewer unhealthy dieting behaviors, lower drive for muscularity, and greater intentions to protect their skin from UV exposure and damage. Gender did not moderate these associations; thus, connections between positive body image and health-related indicators were similar for women and men. Results suggest that positive body image has significant implications for health and well-being beyond objective body size. Health care providers should encourage positive body image because of its potential health benefits.

Wrinkles and Sagging Flesh: Exploring Transformations in Women's Sexual Body Image

In American society, the sexually desirable woman is young and thin. Changes associated with aging such as wrinkled skin or weight gain often bring women further from societal ideals of attractiveness. As physical appearance is very much related to desirability, we explore sexual body image and the way that it changes as women age. Based on in-depth interviews with 95 women aged 20–68, we find womens sexuality and feelings of desirability are influenced by physical appearance, media, as well as significant others and family. We also note that sexual body image is more often negative than positive for women of all ages and that women struggle to accept changes in their bodies as a result of the aging process and life experiences; however, women in their 50s and 60s are most likely to accept their bodies and not feel influenced by social pressures.

Emerging adults’ perceptions of messages about physical appearance

Emerging adults receive messages about physical appearance from a range of sources, but few studies have examined the content of these messages. Undergraduates (N=154) who identified as African American, Latino American, and European American answered 4 open-ended questions about messages they perceived about physical appearance from family, peers, school, and media. Raters coded responses for content and affect. The most common messages perceived were the importance/non-importance of appearance, positive comments about appearance, and the link between attractiveness and success. The perception of these messages frequently differed by gender and source, but rarely by ethnicity. Women perceived more frequent and more negative messages than did men. Individuals perceived the media as transmitting more negative messages and the family more healthful and positive ones.

The role of body image and depression in tanning behaviors and attitudes.

In the current study, we examined correlates of tanning behaviors and attitudes. Undergraduates (N = 277; 53% female; average age = 19.27 years) completed measures of appearance orientation and appearance evaluation from the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and questions addressing tanning behaviors and attitudes. Women were more likely to engage in indoor tanning and perceived greater susceptibility to photoaging than men. Body image and depression were associated with tanning behaviors and attitudes. Results suggest that psychological factors are important motivators of both indoor and outdoor tanning, although each has unique correlates. Implications for reducing risky tanning behaviors are discussed.

Understanding men's body image in the context of their romantic relationships.

This study examined men’s body image in the context of their romantic relationships. One hundred and four heterosexual romantic couples (N = 208 participants) completed measures assessing men’s body image, perceptions of men’s weight change, relationship length, and sexual intimacy. Men’s height and weight were also measured. Results indicate that men were more likely to be satisfied with their bodies when they perceived their partners to be, when their partners actually were satisfied with their bodies, and when they perceived themselves to have gained relatively little weight throughout the duration of their relationships. Analyses also revealed that men expressed greater body satisfaction when there was a relatively high degree of sexual intimacy in the relationship. Findings are discussed in terms of their contributions to researchers’ and practitioners’ understanding of men’s body satisfaction.

How clothes make the woman immoral: Impressions given off by sexualized clothing

The goal of the present study was to examine clothing as a marker of womens sexuality. Ninety-five women in their 20s - 60s participated in in-depth interviews. Many women reported concern with sexual messages others might perceive from their clothing, and judged other womens clothing on the dimensions of authenticity, morality, and appropriateness. Self- and other- clothing judgments varied by the targets age, marital status, and parental status, and for other-judgments, by social class and generation. Results suggest that womens bodies are socially monitored and that sexual subjectivity is suppressed through the stigmatization of womens sexualized dress.

Body Image and Mental Health

Cultural ideals of attractiveness have shifted to become more out of reach for the average person, making body image a significant issue for many people in industrialized, western cultures. Body image concerns affect people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, and ethnicities. These concerns originate from a complex interaction of sociocultural influences and have significant implications for mental and physical health. Options for improving body image typically include psychoeducational, cognitive behavioral, and ecological/activist approaches. Body image concerns are serious problems that demand effective responses.

Body image and HIV risk among college students.

OBJECTIVES To focus on the role of sex, race/ethnicity, and body image in HIV-protective behaviors. METHODS Undergraduates (N = 277; 53% women; M = 19.27 years old) from the United States completed a survey on HIV-related behaviors and body image (appearance orientation and appearance evaluation). RESULTS Women and African Americans/ Blacks were more likely to have ever had an HIV test. African Americans/Blacks and individuals who had more positive evaluations of their appearance were more likely to have ever asked a partners HIV status and to have asked a partner to get tested for HIV. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate low rates of HIV testing and communication with a partner about HIV, suggesting the importance of sexual health intervention and education programs for college students.

Associations Between Body Appreciation and Comfort Communicating About Sex: A Brief Report

ABSTRACT Communicating about sex with potential or current sex partners can lead to many positive outcomes, including fewer unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Although body image is related to many sexual health behaviors, the association between positive body image and comfort communicating about sex is underexplored. The purpose of the current study is to better understand this relationship among a sample of 399 18- to 25-year-old college women. Results suggest that positive body image, measured by body appreciation, is related to greater comfort communicating about sex with a current sex partner, even after accounting for body mass index (BMI).