The Dangers of Too Much Self Love

A study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence by researchers at Penn State's Department of Human Development and Family Studies included some interesting findings on the differential impact of body image on sexuality.

In the study of 434 college aged men and women, researchers found among other things that men with a more positive body image were more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, while women with a more positive body image were less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior.

This study does a nice job of pointing out something of the complicated relationship between sexuality and body image.

The findings could also be of use in developing safer sex materials for straight men.

If men with more positive body images are in fact more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, educational programs that offer a simple message of having a positive body image may not be helpful in altering risky sexual behaviors.

Prof. Eva Lefkowitz, one of the authors of the paper, proposes that instead safer sex programs aimed at impacting male behavior "should consider encouraging positive views of the body in males within a comprehensive program that focuses on other issues, such as respect for women and healthy, safe sexuality."

Read More - Body Image and Sexuality

Previously - New Study Looks At Body Image as Culprit of Low Sexual Satisfaction Post Menopause