The association between parental attitudes towards sexuality, body image and sexual satisfaction in adult women

Details

Supervisors

Stephan Van Den Broucke

Faculty

Faculté de psychologie, logopédie, sexologie et des sciences de la famille

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de la famille et de la sexualité

Abstract

This thesis consists in a study which investigates the relationship between young women’s perception of their parents’ attitudes towards sexuality, body image, and sexual satisfaction experienced in their current relationship. A convenience sample of 200 women between 18 and 30 years, currently in a relationship, completed an online survey measuring perceived parental attitudes towards sexuality using the Parental Attitudes towards Sexuality Scale (PATSS), perceived parental disapproval of their child having sex during adolescence (PDCHS), attitudes towards sexual communication during adolescence (SCA), and openness to discuss sex and birth control during adolescence (DSBC), as well as body image (BIQ) and sexual satisfaction (NSSQ). Stepwise multiple regressions showed no significant associations of parental attitudes towards sexuality and openness to discuss sex and birth control during adolescence with body image. In contrast, parental disapproval of their child having sex and attitudes towards sexual communication during adolescence were negatively correlated with body image. There was also a strong positive relationship between body image and sexual satisfaction, showing increased sexual satisfaction predicted with higher level of body image.