Body image and sexual satisfaction in mixed-sex couples: The mediating role of sexual anxiety

Body satisfaction predicts sexual satisfaction (e.g., Pujols, Meston, & Seal, 2010; Holt & Lyness, 2007), and may have indirect effects on sexual satisfaction through sexual anxiety. In a sample of mixed-sex dating couples, I predicted that, over one year, increases in body satisfaction would predict increases in actor sexual satisfaction, increases in body satisfaction would predict decreases in actor sexual anxiety, and increases in sexual anxiety would predict decreases in actor sexual satisfaction. I also predicted indirect effects of changes in actor body satisfaction on actor and partner sexual satisfaction through changes in actor sexual anxiety. Results of multiple linear modelling were consistent with all predictions for women and men. Specifically, changes in body satisfaction had indirect actor and partner effects on changes in sexual satisfaction through changes in actor sexual anxiety. Results suggest that body dissatisfaction has negative implications for couples’ sexual satisfaction through its effects on sexual anxiety.