Abstract
Introduction Dysfunctional beliefs about body appearance and cognitive distraction from body appearance during sexual activity have been associated with sexual problems, particularly in women. However, there are no studies examining the interplay between these dimensions and the mechanisms by which they affect sexual functioning. Aim To examine the mediating role of cognitive distraction with body appearance on the relation between beliefs about appearance and sexual functioning. Methods The study sample consisted of 426 heterosexual participants (129 men and 297 women) involved in an exclusive dyadic committed relationship who answered an online questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures The Body Appearance Cognitive Distraction Scale, the Beliefs About Appearance Scale, the International Index of Erectile Function, and the Female Sexual Function Index. Results The findings indicated that cognitive distraction with body appearance fully mediated the relation between beliefs about appearance and sexual functioning in men and women. Conclusion The results support the role of beliefs about appearance and cognitive distraction based on body appearance in predicting sexual functioning, reaffirming the role of cognitive models in explaining sexual functioning in men and women.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1387-1394 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Sexual Medicine |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2016 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2016 International Society for Sexual Medicine
Funding
Funding: This study was funded by BIAL Foundation Fellowship 167/12.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| BIAL | 167/12 |
Keywords
- Body Image Beliefs
- Cognitive Distraction Based on Body Appearance
- Mediation
- Sexual Functioning
