The Association Between Mindfulness and Sexual Satisfaction in Women: The Mediating Role of Positive Body Image

Abstract

Prior studies found an important association between positive body image and sexual satisfaction. The present study examined if mindfulness precedes this association by assessing the relationship between mindfulness and sexual satisfaction and the mediating role of positive body image. In this cross-sectional design, 139 females completed self-report online questionnaires assessing mindfulness (MAAS), positive body image (BAS-2) and sexual satisfaction (GMSEX). Data were analyzed with regression and bootstrap analyses. The results revealed mindfulness to be positively associated with sexual satisfaction, and positive body image to be a mediator to this relationship. This finding suggests that mindfulness precedes the relationship between positive body image and sexual satisfaction. Thus, the positive influence of mindfulness-based interventions might extend beyond improvements in positive body image to increasing the level of sexual satisfaction.