Sexual (dys)functioning is related to drive for thinness, not drive for muscularity

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
Anandi Alperin ◽  
Fiona K. Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Sexual Problems ◽  
Drive For Thinness ◽  
Drive For Muscularity ◽  
Negative Body Image ◽  
Sexual Esteem ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Poor Body Image

Background Negative body image can result in sexual dysfunction for both women and men. Drive for thinness, drive for muscularity and drive for leanness have all been associated with poor body image. However, research to date has not examined which is the strongest predictor of sexual problems in each gender. Methods: The present study used measures of drive for muscularity and drive for thinness simultaneously to predict sexual functioning in both genders. Participants (n = 519) completed measures of drive for thinness, drive for muscularity, sexual esteem, sexual assertiveness, discomfort exposing their bodies during sex and genital satisfaction. The interaction between drive for thinness and drive for muscularity was used to approximate drive for leanness. Results: Drive for thinness, not drive for muscularity (or any combination of the two), predicted men’s and women’s sexual problems. Conclusions: We add to the growing body of literature on the destructive nature of excessive drive for thinness, and highlight that it may be a core factor in promoting and maintaining men’s (as well as women’s) sexual problems.

Sexual Functioning in Breast Cancer Survivors

2001 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 442-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina L. Thors ◽  
Jo Ann Broeckel ◽  
Paul B. Jacobsen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Sexual Problems ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Growing Body

Background A growing body of evidence suggests that sexual dysfunction may be among the more common and distressing symptoms experienced by breast cancer survivors. Methods This report reviews studies in which sexual functioning in breast cancer survivors has been investigated. Included are reports on the prevalence and nature of sexual difficulties, the relationship between specific breast cancer treatments and sexual difficulties, and the treatment of sexual dysfunction following completion of breast cancer treatment. Results A review of the literature suggests a wide range of rates for the prevalence of sexual problems in breast cancer survivors. Factors that may affect prevalence rates include the methods used to determine prevalence and the demographic and medical characteristics of the patients studied. With regard to treatment effects, evidence suggests that breast cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy are at high risk for sexual dysfunction after treatment. In contrast, there is little evidence of a link between type of surgical treatment (eg, lumpectomy vs mastectomy) or treatment with tamoxifen and sexual functioning outcomes. Conclusions A growing body of evidence suggests that sexual problems can be a long-term side effect of breast cancer treatment. Oncology professionals should initiate communication about sexual difficulties, perform comprehensive assessments, and educate and counsel patients about the management of these difficulties.

Sexual functioning, sexual esteem, genital self-image and psychological and relational functioning in women with Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome: a case–control study

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 1661-1673 ◽  
Author(s):  
P T M Weijenborg ◽  
K B Kluivers ◽  
A B Dessens ◽  
M J Kate-Booij ◽  
S Both
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Mrkh Syndrome ◽  
Sexual Esteem ◽  
Sexual Distress ◽  
Relational Functioning ◽  
Self Image ◽  
Control Study

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Do sexual functioning, sexual esteem, genital self-image and psychological and relational functioning in women with Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser (MRKH) syndrome differ from a comparison group of women without the condition? SUMMARY ANSWER In comparison to controls, women with MRKH with a non-surgically or surgically created neovagina did not differ in psychological and relational functioning but reported lower sexual esteem and more negative genital self-image, intercourse-related pain, clinically relevant sexual distress and sexual dysfunction, with sexual esteem levels strongly associated with sexual distress and sexual dysfunction. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Studies on sexual functioning measured with standardized questionnaires in women with MRKH syndrome compared with women without the condition have yielded contradictory results. Factors associated with sexual functioning in this patient population have rarely been investigated. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Between November 2015 and May 2017, 54 women with MRKH syndrome with a neovagina and 79 age-matched healthy women without the condition were enrolled in this case–control study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS All participants had to be at least 18-years old and had to live in a steady heterosexual relationship. Women with MRKH syndrome were asked to participate by their (former) gynecologists at three university hospitals and by MRKH peer support group. Controls were recruited via advertisement in local newspapers and social media. Standardized questionnaires were administered to assess sexual functioning, sexual esteem, genital self-image and psychological and relational functioning. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Women with MRKH syndrome with a surgically or non-surgically created neovagina reported significantly more pain during intercourse (P < 0.05, d = 0.5), but did not differ in overall sexual functioning from control women. More women with MRKH syndrome reported clinically relevant sexuality-related distress (P < 0.05, odds ratio (OR): 2.756, 95% CI 1.219–6.232) and suffered a sexual dysfunction (P < 0.05, OR: 2.654, 95% CI: 1.088–6.471) in comparison with controls. MRKH women scored significantly lower on the sexual esteem scale (SES) (P < 0.01, d = 0.5) and the female genital self-image scale (FGSIS) (P < 0.01, d = 0.6) than controls. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding psychological distress, anxiety and depression, global self-esteem and relational dissatisfaction. Sexual esteem was significantly associated with the presence of clinically relevant sexual distress (ß = 0.455, P = 0.001) and suffering a sexual dysfunction (ß = 0.554, P = 0.001) and explained, respectively, 40% and 28% of the variance. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Given the nature of the study focusing on sexual functioning, a potential selection bias cannot be excluded. It is possible that those women with the most severe sexual and/or psychological disturbances did or did not choose to participate in our study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The study results add new data to the very limited knowledge about psychosexual functioning of women with MRKH syndrome and are of importance for more adequate counseling and treatment of these women. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The research was financially supported by the Dutch Scientific Society of Sexology (Nederlandse wetenschappelijke Vereniging Voor Seksuologie). The funding was unrestricted, and there was no involvement in the conduct of the research. There are no conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Disentangling the contributions of agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism to drive for thinness and drive for muscularity

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253187
Author(s):  
Leonie Hater ◽  
Johanna Schulte ◽  
Katharina Geukes ◽  
Ulrike Buhlmann ◽  
Mitja D. Back
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Drive For Thinness ◽  
Drive For Muscularity ◽  
Body Image Concerns ◽  
Self Report Data ◽  
Muscular Ideal ◽  
Future Work

Body image concerns revolving around body ideals (thin ideal, muscular ideal) are widespread among women. Whereas a stronger preoccupation with ideal physical appearance is often assumed for narcissistic women, previous empirical findings have been mixed. Following a tripartite structure of agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism facets, we reexamined whether trait narcissism predicted drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. We further explored the role of importance of appearance as a mediator and moderator of the relation between narcissism and body image concerns. Latent structural equation modeling was applied to self-report data from two independent nonclinical female samples (NSample1 = 224, NSample2 = 342). Results underlined the importance of distinguishing between narcissism facets: Neurotic (but not agentic or antagonistic) narcissism uniquely predicted drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. Importance of appearance mediated but did not robustly moderate these relations. Hence, neurotic narcissistic women (characterized by hypersensitivity, shame, and a fragile self-esteem) are particularly prone to body image concerns. This vulnerability seems partly driven by how much importance they ascribe to their appearance. Future work might build on these insights to further unravel the processes linking neurotic narcissism to body image concerns and how these can be targeted in practical interventions.

Body Image

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey J. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Negative Body Image ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Body Acceptance ◽  
Disability Severity ◽  
Poor Body Image

It has often been wrongly assumed that people with disabilities have poor body image. The purpose of this chapter is to review the body image research involving individuals with impairments and investigating if they are dissatisfied with their appearance. People with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, blindness, and amputations are all very different, and their impairments are likely to differ in many other respects that can play a role in body image self-perceptions. The lack of unanimity across the research reviewed here suggests that disability type, disability severity, visibility, duration, congenital versus acquired factors, age, gender, ethnicity, social support, and self-efficacy are all important considerations that can moderate and mediate the link between disability and body image. Researchers are urged to use theory to guide their research and to consider nontraditional approaches to the study of body image. For instance, researchers studying positive body image understand that this does not comprise simply the absence of negative body image cognitions and have examined the role of body appreciation and body acceptance.

scholarly journals Can Parental Body Dissatisfaction Predict That of Children? A Study on Body Dissatisfaction, Body Mass Index, and Desire to Diet in Children Aged 9–11 and Their Families

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Solano-Pinto ◽  
Yolanda Sevilla-Vera ◽  
Raquel Fernández-Cézar ◽  
Dunia Garrido
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Drive For Thinness ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Drive For Muscularity ◽  
Healthy Habits

Body image has been associated with self-care and the assumption of either healthy habits or poor diets and eating disorders. As a vital element in the formation of a positive body image, the role of the family in childhood has been highlighted by a few studies. This study aimed to assess whether children’s body dissatisfaction could be predicted by their parents’ body dissatisfaction, body mass index (BMI), and approach to change. The sample consisted of 581 participants (366 parents and 215 children). The following instruments were used: anthropometric data, the Brief Scale of Body Dissatisfaction for Children, the IMAGE questionnaire (approach to change and drive for muscularity subscales), and the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness subscales). The results indicated that 19% of children, 22.8% of mothers, and 70.2% of fathers were overweight or obese. The multiple regression models developed for boys and girls explained 60 and 57% of the variance in body dissatisfaction, respectively. Several variables attributable to the mother (higher approach to change, higher drive for thinness, and higher BMI) and to the boys themselves (drive for muscularity, approach to change, and having a high BMI percentile) predicted a higher level of body dissatisfaction. For girls, only variables regarding themselves (approach to change, age, and BMI percentile) explained their body dissatisfaction. Relationships with the traits of the father were not detected for both models. The influence of sociocultural factors on the construction of gender and the negative consequences of mothers’ dieting for aesthetic purposes, on the development of children’s body image, are discussed.

Disentangling the Contributions of Agentic, Antagonistic, and Neurotic Narcissism to Drive for Thinness and Drive for Muscularity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Hater ◽  
Johanna Schulte ◽  
Katharina Geukes ◽  
Ulrike Buhlmann ◽  
Mitja Back
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Drive For Thinness ◽  
Drive For Muscularity ◽  
Body Image Concerns ◽  
Self Report Data ◽  
Muscular Ideal ◽  
Future Work

Body image concerns revolving around body ideals (thin ideal, muscular ideal) are widespread among women. Whereas a stronger preoccupation with ideal physical appearance is often assumed for narcissistic women, previous empirical findings have been mixed. Following a tripartite structure of agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism facets, we reexamined whether trait narcissism predicted drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. We further explored the role of importance of appearance as a mediator and moderator of the relation between narcissism and body image concerns. Latent structural equation modeling was applied to self-report data from two independent nonclinical female samples (NSample1 = 224, NSample2 = 342). Results underlined the importance of distinguishing between narcissism facets: Neurotic (but not agentic or antagonistic) narcissism uniquely predicted drive for thinness and drive for muscularity. Importance of appearance mediated but did not robustly moderate these relations. Hence, neurotic narcissistic women (characterized by hypersensitivity, shame, and a fragile self-esteem) are particularly prone to body image concerns. This vulnerability seems partly driven by how much importance they ascribe to their appearance. Future work might build on these insights to further unravel the processes linking neurotic narcissism to body image concerns and how these can be targeted in practical interventions.

Impact of BRCA 1/2 testing: Body image, sexual functioning, and quality of life (QOL)

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1525-1525
Author(s):  
C. C. Sun ◽  
S. N. Westin ◽  
K. H. Lu ◽  
K. M. Schmeler ◽  
K. G. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Negative Body Image ◽  
Brca 1 ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Endocrine Symptoms ◽  
Group 1

1525 Background: Management strategies for women at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer (OVCA) may affect sensitive QOL issues. Methods: As part of a larger study, 540 women who underwent testing for BRCA 1/2 prior to July 2005 were sent follow- up surveys, including FACT-Endocrine Symptom subscale (FACT-ES), Sexual Activity Questionnaire (SAQ), and a modified Body Image Scale. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze the data. Results: To date, 309 patients (pts) have responded. Pts with previous oophorectomies were excluded (n=68). The final analysis included 241 pts categorized into 4 groups: Group 1=no breast CA, no prophylactic (proph) surgery (n=39); Group 2=no breast CA, + proph surgery (either proph oophorectomy (PO), proph mastectomy (PM), or PO+PM) (n=20); Group 3= + breast CA, no PO or PM (n=90); and Group 4= + breast CA, + proph surgery (n=92). Median age at time of survey = 50 yrs. Median age at time of PO = 46 yrs. Of 65 BRCA + pts, 36 chose PO, while 32/176 BRCA- pts chose PO (p<.001). 155 pts reported being sexually active at time of survey. Women with PO (n=68) had more endocrine symptoms by the FACT-ES vs pts who chose screening (n=173) (p=.005). Women in Group 2 reported more endocrine symptoms compared to all other women (p=.02). The same trend was noted for sexually active women only (p=.06). There were no differences in activity or pleasure measured by the SAQ between women with PO vs screening; pts with PO reported higher levels of pain/discomfort (p=.04). Women in Group 1 reported the lowest level of pain/discomfort (p=.004) and highest level of pleasure. Higher levels of discomfort and less sexual activity were reported by women with breast CA vs those without breast CA (p<.001; p=.05). Women in Group 3 had the most negative body image while Group 2 had the most positive (p=.03). Women who chose screening reported a more negative body image vs women with PO (p=.01). Pts with breast CA had more negative body image scores than women without breast CA (p=.06). Conclusions: Choice of management strategy and personal hx of breast CA appear to influence sexual functioning, endocrine symptoms and body image in women at high risk of breast and OVCA. Baseline assessment of these factors and continued dialogue are critical aspects of comprehensive care for these women. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals COVID-19-Related Stress and Anxiety, Body Mass Index, Eating Disorder Symptomatology, and Body Image in Women from Poland: A Cluster Analysis Approach

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1384
Author(s):  
Kamila Czepczor-Bernat ◽  
Viren Swami ◽  
Adriana Modrzejewska ◽  
Justyna Modrzejewska
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Excess Body Weight ◽  
Drive For Thinness ◽  
Negative Body Image ◽  
Healthy Body Weight ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Healthy Body

To limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), many countries have introduced mandated lockdown or social distancing measures. Although these measures may be successful against COVID-19 transmission, the pandemic and attendant restrictions are a source of chronic and severe stress and anxiety which may contribute to the emergence or worsening of symptoms of eating disorders and the development of negative body image. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to: (1) classify different conditions associated with COVID-19-related stress, COVID-19-related anxiety, and weight status; and (2) analyze and compare the severity of dimensions typically related to eating disorders symptomatology and body image in individuals with different COVID-19-related stress, COVID-19-related anxiety, and weight status. Polish women (N = 671, Mage = 32.50 ± 11.38) completed measures of COVID-19-related stress and anxiety along with body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and bulimia symptomatology subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory, and the appearance evaluation, overweight preoccupation, and body areas satisfaction subscales of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. The following four clusters were identified through cluster analysis: (a) Cluster 1 (N = 269), healthy body weight and low COVID-related stress (M = 3.06) and anxiety (M = 2.96); (b) Cluster 2 (N = 154), healthy body weight and high COVID-related stress (M = 5.43) and anxiety (M = 5.29); (c) Cluster 3 (N = 127), excess body weight and high COVID-related stress (M = 5.23) and anxiety (M = 5.35); (d) Cluster 4 (N = 121), excess body weight and low COVID-related stress (M = 2.69) and anxiety (M = 2.83). Our results showed that Clusters 3 and 4 had significantly greater body dissatisfaction and lower appearance evaluation and body areas satisfaction than Clusters 1 and 2. Cluster 3 also had a significantly higher level of drive for thinness, bulimia, and overweight preoccupation than Clusters 1 and 2. These preliminary findings may mean that the COVID-19 pandemic and attendant anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic are exacerbating symptoms of eating disorders and negative body image, with women with excess weight particularly at risk.

scholarly journals Scar satisfaction and body image in thyroidectomy patients: prospective study in a tertiary referral centre

2017 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Sethukumar ◽  
D Ly ◽  
Z Awad ◽  
N S Tolley
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Referral Centre ◽  
Tertiary Referral ◽  
Tertiary Referral Centre ◽  
Negative Body Image ◽  
Poor Body Image

AbstractBackground:This study is the first to evaluate scar satisfaction and body image in thyroidectomy patients using validated assessment tools.Methods:A total of 123 thyroidectomy patients were recruited over 8 months. Both patients and clinicians completed assessment tools that included: the Manchester Scar Scale (to measure scar perception), Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (to assess body image), Body Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (to screen for body dysmorphic disorder) and EQ-5D (to measure life quality). A separate image panel comprising experts and non-experts assessed 15 scar photographs. The results were analysed using non-parametric descriptive statistics.Results:Poor body image was associated with poor scar perception (ρ = 0.178,p= 0.05). Poor life quality correlated with poor scar perception (ρ = −0.292,p= 0.001). Scar length did not affect scar perception. Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among patients was found to be 8.94 per cent, which is higher than general population rates.Conclusion:Negative body image and life quality impact negatively upon scar perception.

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