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

Abstract

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.