Body dissatisfaction and romantic relationship quality

A meta-analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID2937573
AuthorsDana L Stiles (0000-0003-3811-5041, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA), Lijing Ma (0000-0002-4413-3046, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA), Hannah F Fitterman-Harris (0000-0001-9882-2333, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA), Eyad J Naseralla (0000-0001-7297-1314, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA), Cort W Rudolph (0000-0002-0536-9638, Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO, USA)
Year2023
Volume40
Issue6
Pages1706-1739
Publication date2023-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075221128504
OpenAlexW4297064767
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited74

Research has shown that there is an association between body dissatisfaction (a person's negative evaluation of their own physical body) and romantic relationship satisfaction. Some have suggested that individuals with higher levels of body dissatisfaction report less satisfaction with their romantic relationships. However, others have suggested that there is a positive relationship between these two variables. This meta-analysis sought to examine the relationship between body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction. Possible moderators of this relationship were also examined. Fifty-six studies were meta-analyzed to quantitatively summarize the relationship between body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction. Additionally, participant body mass index (BMI), relationship length, gender, sexual orientation, and age were considered as potential moderators of this relationship. Results confirmed previous findings, indicating that body dissatisfaction was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction (rxy = −0.24). Furthermore, moderation analyses found that this negative relationship between body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction was attenuated as BMI increased. This relationship became stronger when the studies had higher female representation. Some sexual orientations also moderated the relationship. No moderating effects of age or relationship length were found

Association (psychology · Body mass index · Developmental psychology · Moderation · Positive relationship · Romance · Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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