Self-compassion and Sexual satisfaction in women: The Role of Body Appreciation.
Summary
Previous literature on body image has mainly focused on the negative aspects of bodily concerns, such as bodily dissatisfaction. Researchers have begun to explore how positive body image is associated with other important positive aspects of life such as sexual satisfaction. The present study aimed to explore the association between self-compassion and body appreciation and the mediating role of body appreciation in that association. In a cross-sectional design, 143 women completed an online survey measuring levels of self-compassion, body appreciation and sexual satisfaction. Data was analysed using a correlational analysis and a mediational analysis with self-compassion as independent variable, sexual satisfaction as dependant variable and body appreciation as a mediator. Results of the mediation showed, that as predicted, that self-compassion was indirectly related with sexual satisfaction via body appreciation. No direct relationship between self-compassion and sexual satisfaction was found.