TY - JOUR
T1 - Body image and risky sexual behaviors
T2 - An investigation in a tri-ethnic sample
AU - Littleton, Heather
AU - Breitkopf, Carmen Radecki
AU - Berenson, Abbey
PY - 2005/6/1
Y1 - 2005/6/1
N2 - The impact of negative body image on risky sexual behaviors has not been extensively investigated. The present study examined the relationship between two aspects of body image, appearance shame and appearance investment, and potentially risky behaviors. The study employed a tri-ethnic sample of 1547 women seeking services at two family planning clinics. Logistic regression was utilized to examine the relationship between potential risk behaviors and shame and investment. Results supported that these aspects of body image were significant predictors of inconsistent condom use, having multiple sex partners in the past year, and having sex after drinking alcohol or using drugs, and that demographic variables (e.g., age, marital status, ethnicity) could not fully account for these relationships. The importance of future research investigating the relationships among body image, perceived relationship security, affect-management strategies, and risky sexual behaviors is emphasized.
AB - The impact of negative body image on risky sexual behaviors has not been extensively investigated. The present study examined the relationship between two aspects of body image, appearance shame and appearance investment, and potentially risky behaviors. The study employed a tri-ethnic sample of 1547 women seeking services at two family planning clinics. Logistic regression was utilized to examine the relationship between potential risk behaviors and shame and investment. Results supported that these aspects of body image were significant predictors of inconsistent condom use, having multiple sex partners in the past year, and having sex after drinking alcohol or using drugs, and that demographic variables (e.g., age, marital status, ethnicity) could not fully account for these relationships. The importance of future research investigating the relationships among body image, perceived relationship security, affect-management strategies, and risky sexual behaviors is emphasized.
KW - Body image
KW - Condom use
KW - Sexual behaviors
KW - Sexually transmitted infection
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=20344397110&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=20344397110&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2005.02.003
DO - 10.1016/j.bodyim.2005.02.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 18089187
AN - SCOPUS:20344397110
SN - 1740-1445
VL - 2
SP - 193
EP - 198
JO - Body Image
JF - Body Image
IS - 2
ER -