The Relationship between Perceived Partner’s Responsiveness and Sexual Satisfaction: The Role of Positive Body Image

Abstract

Relatively few studies have evaluated how perceived partner’s responsiveness during everyday communication affects sexual satisfaction. While research on positive body image and sexual experiences has been done, do not exist studies that evaluates the impact of perceived partner’s responsiveness in this context. To bring new perspective to the subject, the present study examined the association between perceived partner responsiveness and sexual satisfaction, under the mediating role of the positive body image. In the cross-sectional design, 103 Dutch female participants completed an online survey measuring perceived partner responsiveness (PRS), sexual satisfaction (NSSS-S), and positive body image (BAS-2). Results showed that higher perceived partner’s responsiveness was associated with greater sexual satisfaction, and that this association was mediated by positive body image. These findings indicate that positive body image may be the aspect that explains how partner’s responsiveness influence sexual experiences, and future researchers and clinicians should evaluate the importance of one’s body image in the context of couple’s emotional and sexual relationships.