Body Appreciation and Sexual Satisfaction in Young Adult Women: The Mediating Role of Entitlement To Sexual Pleasure
Summary
Sexual satisfaction has been associated to overall quality of life and seems an important component of sexual health. Body appreciation has been identified as an important determinant of sexual satisfaction. However, underlying mechanisms explaining the relationship between body appreciation and sexual satisfaction remain understudied. The present study investigated the relation between body appreciation and sexual satisfaction, and the mediating role of entitlement to sexual pleasure (i.e. from the self and from a partner). In a cross-sectional design, 1680 Dutch females completed an online survey measuring body appreciation (BAS-2), sexual satisfaction (NSSS-S), and entitlement to sexual pleasure (FSSI). Correlation analyses showed that body appreciation was positively associated with both facets of entitlement to sexual pleasure. Entitlement to sexual pleasure from a partner was also positively associated with sexual satisfaction, whereas entitlement to sexual pleasure from the self was not. A mediation analysis revealed that higher levels of body appreciation were indirectly related to greater sexual satisfaction through more entitlement to sexual pleasure from a partner. Entitlement to sexual pleasure from the self did not mediate the relationship between body appreciation and sexual satisfaction. A direct effect of body appreciation on sexual satisfaction was also found. These findings indicate that interventions focusing on adopting and maintaining a positive body image may enhance entitlement to sexual pleasure in partnered sexual encounters, which contributes to a more pleasurable and satisfying sex life.