Body Image as a Predictor of Relationship Satisfaction
Body image can be an influential predictor of relationship satisfaction. Ambwani and
Strauss (2007) found that body image influences a romantic relationship both positively and
negatively. 15.6 % of women reported body image positively shaped the relationship and an
additional 15.6% reported body insecurities negatively shaped the relationship. 9.1% of
women claimed that their negative body image led to avoidant behaviors in relationships
(Ambwani & Strauss, 2007). These findings suggest that body image, positive or negative, is
potentially a predictor of relationship satisfaction for some individuals.
Penhollow and colleagues (2009) stated that sexual self-confidence was the strongest
predictor of participation in sex, where sex is a mediating factor for relationship satisfaction.
Additionally, a high self-esteem was positively correlated with overall sexual activity, intimate
relationships, and good health in women ages fifty and over (Johnson, 1998). Inversely, Horvath
and colleagues (2020) found that the more body image dissatisfaction a woman experienced, the
more sexual satisfaction was diminished in the relationship. These findings echo Penhollow and
Young’s (2008) findings that the more self-conscious an individual is, the more problematic
sexual encounters (or avoidance of sexual encounters) they are likely to experience.
van den Brink and Vollman (2018) used sexual satisfaction as a mediating factor for
analyzing body image and relationship satisfaction. They concluded that positive body image was
associated with greater sexual satisfaction, and increased sexual satisfaction was positively
associated with perceived relationship quality from both partners (van den Brink & Vollman, 2018).
Utilizing Murray and colleagues’ Risk Regulation Model (2006), Meltzer and McNulty (2010)
further describe the link between self-esteem and relationship satisfaction. Simply put, this is
explained as one’s willingness to take emotional risks in the relationship. For example, a wife that
has high self-esteem, feels secure in the relationship, and trusts that her husband will stay committed
to her is more likely to disclose personal thoughts in the relationship. The willingness and ability to
take more emotional risks leads to a higher perceived relationship satisfaction in the long-term.
Meltzer and McNulty’s (2010) research found that the wives’ perceived sexual attractiveness was
the largest contributing component to global self-esteem and thus influenced how much emotional
risk she was willing to take (Meltzer & McNulty, 2010).
Considering the role that the husband’s perception of attractiveness plays in the
development of the wives’ body image, Meltzer and McNulty (2010) also found that the wives’
perceived sexual attractiveness was positively correlated with sexual frequency, which
influences sexual satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction is positively correlated with marital
satisfaction (Meltzer & McNulty, 2010). Furthermore, Markey and colleagues (2004)
examined the role of husbands regarding the wives’ body satisfaction. Overall, wives had a
greater degree of body dissatisfaction than their husbands, and the wives’ perceptions of
husbands' dissatisfaction was greater than their actual reported dissatisfaction. Ultimately, the
more a wife believes her husband is attracted to her, the more positive body image she
possesses, and the greater relationship satisfaction (Markey et al., 2004).
Similarly, Tantleff-Dunn & Thompson (1995) found that both men and women fail to
accurately assess their own actual body size comparatively to their perceived ideal body. This
failure contributes to the discrepancies between the actual rating and perception of their
partner’s rating as an ideal body (Tantleff-Dunn & Thompson, 1995). Markey and colleagues
(2004) stated that it was not possible to discern if the wives were projecting their own feelings
about their bodies onto their husbands and this perceived dissatisfaction was contributing to the
wives’ dissatisfaction. Rather, they speculated that women have in many ways formed their
opinions about an ideal body and are less able to hear when husbands communicate positive
messages about their body. Conversely, men may not communicate their satisfaction with their
wives’ bodies (Markey, et al., 2004). The synthesis of this research illustrates the complexity
and interpersonal development of women’s body image in relationships. The perception women
have of their own bodies as well as their perception of their husband’s feelings about their
bodies in many ways influences the relationship both positively and negatively.
Relationship Satisfaction as a Protective Factor for Body Image
While body image may influence a relationship, relationships have been found to
influence body image as well. A healthy relationship can contribute to a person’s body image
since it can provide positive messages, reassurance, and can connect body image perceptions
to realistic expectations (Pole, et al., 2004; Tantleff-Dunn & Thompson, 1995).
Of the female participants in the research conducted by Ambwani and Strauss (2007),
61% reported that a romantic relationship contributed to an increase in self-esteem and/or body
image, thus reinforcing the idea that the romantic relationship is a protective factor for the
majority of women. Some women, 16.9% stated that not being in a relationship had contributed
to a decrease in body image, and 18.2% claimed that the role of partner behaviors, both positive
and negative influenced body image (Ambwani & Strauss, 2007). These statistics support the
idea that a romantic relationship is where women often find their value, thus supporting the
idea that a romantic relationship acts as a protective factor for positive body image.
Cairo Notari and colleagues (2017) studied women’s body image after breast cancer and the
effect of a satisfying romantic relationship during the post-surgical period and throughout the
following year, a challenging time for body image. Women who reported greater relationship
satisfaction, also reported less body image disturbance. Married women who reported the same level
of satisfaction as unmarried, partnered women described even less body image disturbance, thus
alluding to the increase of security in a married relationship (Cairo Notari et al., 2017). However,
married or partnered, the women who were satisfied in their romantic relationship had less body
image disturbance than women who were not satisfied in a romantic relationship.
Even among older populations when a shift in focus occurs from body image to body
function, relationships can act as a protective factor for self-esteem. Penhollow and colleagues
(2009) found that among active individuals in a retirement community, a healthy sex life
decreased both physical and mental health issues while increasing life satisfaction. Johnson
(1998) asserted that not being in a relationship was associated with lower self-esteem. Despite
aging and health issues, women who were in relationships stated that they were healthy, active,
interested, and satisfied (Johnson, 1998).
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