Lesbian body image perceptions: the context of body silence

Body satisfaction of lesbian and bisexual Brazilian women: Indicators of self-esteem, physical appearance perfectionism, and identity processes

This article examined the association between body satisfaction and sexual identification among lesbian and bisexual women, since these factors help to understand the cultural background of the objectification of female bodies in Latin cultures. Women who identify as lesbian (N = 239) and bisexual (N = 60) completed demographic data and measures of self-esteem, physical appearance perfectionism, lesbian and bisexual identity difficulties, and body satisfaction. We performed a three-stage hierarchical multiple regression to explore how variables relate to body satisfaction. The results suggest that self-esteem plays a key role, explaining 20.4% of the variance in body satisfaction. We discussed the psychosocial and cultural aspects involved in the relationship between the variables, and social and aesthetic pressures on women's bodies. This study contributes to discussions on psychosocial aspects associated with body satisfaction among Brazilian lesbian and bisexual women.

Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in the perinatal period: an underrecognized high-risk timeframe and the opportunity to intervene

The normal physical changes associated with pregnancy may increase the risk of body dissatisfaction, which is associated with negative mental health outcomes including depression and disordered eating. The purpose of this study was to explore body image and eating concerns among a sample of participants in pregnancy and postpartum and to assess interest and suggestions for a relevant intervention. This was a cross-sectional survey study requiring 10-15 min to complete. Individuals were eligible to participate in the study if they were pregnant or within 1 year postpartum, between the ages of 18 and 45, able to read and write in English, and provided online informed consent. The survey included measures and open-text questions to explore body image, eating behaviors, and related concerns in the perinatal period and to inform the development of an intervention. There were 161 participants, and over 50% were dissatisfied with their body image; 52% were among pregnant participants and 56.2% of postpartum participants. Approximately 80% reported that they would have appreciated the opportunity to participate in a program focused on body acceptance or expectations of body changes in pregnancy and postpartum. We identified intervention preferences as well as commonly reported themes regarding experiences of body image and eating concerns in pregnancy and postpartum. Body dissatisfaction and eating concerns are prevalent issues in pregnancy and postpartum, and our findings underscore an opportunity to tailor an intervention relevant to body image and disordered eating for the perinatal population.

The role of sexual orientation in the relationships between body perception, body weight dissatisfaction, physical comparison, and eating psychopathology in the cisgender population

PURPOSE

Body weight dissatisfaction (BWD) and visual body perception are specific aspects that can influence the own body image, and that can concur with the development or the maintenance of specific psychopathological dimensions of different psychiatric disorders. The sexual orientation is a fundamental but understudied aspect in this field, and, for this reason, the purpose of this study is to improve knowledge about the relationships among BWD, visual body size-perception, and sexual orientation.

METHODS

A total of 1033 individuals participated in an online survey. Physical comparison, depression, and self-esteem was evaluated, as well as sexual orientation and the presence of an eating disorder. A Figure Rating Scale was used to assess different valences of body weight, and mediation analyses were performed to investigated specific relationships between psychological aspects.

RESULTS

Bisexual women and gay men reported significantly higher BWD than other groups (p < 0.001); instead, higher body misperception was present in gay men (p = 0.001). Physical appearance comparison mediated the effect of sexual orientation in both BWD and perceptual distortion. No difference emerged between women with a history of eating disorders and without, as regards the value of body weight attributed to attractiveness, health, and presence on social media.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes to understanding the relationship between sexual orientations and body image representation and evaluation. Physical appearance comparisons should be considered as critical psychological factors that can improve and affect well-being. The impact on subjects with high levels of eating concerns is also discussed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III: case-control analytic study.

Attachment and Sexual Functioning: Understanding the Mediating Role of Body Image Among LGB and Non-LGB Women

INTRODUCTION

Despite studies showing that individuals with insecure attachment suffer from poor body image, and that poor body image is a main risk factor for sexual dysfunction, the mediating role of body image between attachment insecurities and sexual functioning has not been assessed. Moreover, differences in body self-consciousness among sexual minority women have not been examined, even though LGB individuals have been found to be more conscious of stigma and the disapproval of others.

AIM

To fill this gap, the current study examines the mediating role of body image self-consciousness between insecure attachment and sexual functioning among LGB and non-LGB women.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 1,001 women; of them, 808 defined themselves as heterosexual (80.7%), and 193 (19.3%) identified as LGB. The sample was a convenience sample of women who responded to ads on social media. Participants completed an online questionnaire (via Qualtrics) about their attachment orientation, body-image self-consciousness, and sexual functioning.

MAIN OUTCOME

Body image self-consciousness mediated the relationship between insecure attachment and sexual dysfunction among women in general and LGB women in particular.

RESULTS

Results indicated that among LGB women, the relationship between attachment and sexual functioning was fully mediated by body image self-consciousness. For non-LGB women, a full model with statistically significant direct and indirect effects was revealed. Both avoidant attachment and anxious attachment were related to body image self-consciousness which was, in turn, related to sexual functioning. A statistically significant direct path from avoidant attachment to sexual functioning was also revealed.

CONCLUSION

The study findings contribute to the literature by revealing the mediating role that body image self-consciousness plays between insecure attachment and sexual dysfunction among women in general and LGB women in particular.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This study provides support for the negative relationship between body image self-consciousness and sexual functioning of women regardless of sexual orientation, and suggests that women affected by body image concerns might be prone to more sexual dysfunction. Therefore, body image self-consciousness should be brought up in sex therapy sessions and future interventions. Clinicians should also be cognizant of differences between LGB and non-LGB women in terms of this effect, taking into account the history of stigma that LGB women may have endured and how this history affects their body image. Gewirtz-Meydan A, Mitchell KJ, Spivak-Lavi Z. Attachment and Sexual Functioning: Understanding the Mediating Role of Body Image Among LGB and Non-LGB Women. J Sex Med 2021;18:1245-1257.

My body. My politics. An exploration of body image and health in Barbadian sexual minority women

There is a dearth of research on how pervasive Western stereotypes of the ideal body affect non-heterosexual women, and this body of research shrinks even further when considering sexual minority women in the Caribbean. This study aimed to uncover how negotiations between identity, desire, and body politics are being navigated and experienced by sexual minority women in Barbados, along with examining concerns about body image, the impact of societal expectations, and the consequences of these expectations on physical and mental health. Using a qualitative methodology that employed a semi-structured guide, thirteen women were interviewed over the course of a year. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes that centered around the interconnectivity of desire and presentation as it related to body image; distancing from Western influences and grappling with local body ideals; and the ways in which layered events and identities have resulted in complicated relationships with food. A selection of identified community needs is also offered in conclusion.

How coming out and community involvement affects body image: An in-depth examination of lesbian women's personal experiences

Research on body image commonly focuses on the negative aspects of the construct, and the majority of findings related to body image in general arise from quantitative methods of investigation. Furthermore, little is known about the experiences lesbian women go through as they come out, and what consequence this has on their body image. In this study we examined the experiences of 12 lesbian women and explored how coming out affected their body image. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants' ages ranged from 20 to 33 (M = 25). The analysis revealed that all participants reported experiencing improved body image after coming out. Other changes related to the presentation of sexual identity in terms of how they dressed, i.e., presenting as either more masculine or feminine. Most participants reported feeling that the sexual and gender minority community was more accepting of different body shapes and sizes compared to the heteronormative society in which they resided. Negative feelings and experiences related to family situations, and occasionally from within themselves. The results are important in understanding how gender and sexual orientation are intertwined to create a distinct experience of body image in lesbian women, and also to illustrate the heterogeneity of body image within subgroups of women.

Body Image Related to Sexual Health: Development of the Concept

INTRODUCTION

Disturbances in body image can have an impact on sexual health and are prevalent in women of reproductive age. Although body image is important, the definition of this concept is inconsistent across the disciplines of nursing, medicine, and psychology. Use of a consistent definition in clinical practice and research could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of disturbances in body image, thereby advancing research-based knowledge and clinical practice. The purpose of this concept development was to advance the concept of body image as it relates to sexual health among women of reproductive age from the perspectives of 3 disciplines with a strong focus on body image: nursing, medicine, and psychology.

METHODS

Strategies for concept development as described by Rodgers provided the basis for this work. The process includes a search, review, and synthesis of the literature surrounding the concept of interest.

RESULTS

Seventy-one articles, mostly qualitative and quantitative descriptive, were included and used to develop the concept. Body image related to sexual health in women of reproductive age is a multifaceted concept that is composed of an emotional and behavioral response to one's perceived appearance, sexuality, and degree of femininity. An individual's body image is influenced by sociocultural identities, race, ethnicity, and health status. It has both physical and psychological impact on health outcomes.

DISCUSSION

This interprofessional and comprehensive definition of body image should enhance understanding, assessment, and management of body image disturbances, thus bridging disciplines and enhancing interprofessional research and practice.

State versus trait weight, shape, and eating concerns: Disentangling influence on eating behaviors among sexual minority women

This study examined the relative influence of trait and state weight, shape, and eating concerns on dysregulated eating in the daily lives of sexual minority women with overweight and obesity. This study is a secondary analysis of data from an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) study of 55 sexual minority women with overweight/obesity. Trait shape, weight, and eating concerns were assessed at baseline. For the following five days, participants used a smartphone to report state weight/shape concerns, overeating, and binge eating five times daily. Women who endorsed higher levels of trait weight, shape, and eating concerns at baseline reported more frequent state weight/shape concerns in daily life. Trait eating concerns were associated with higher odds of binge eating during EMA, but trait weight/shape concerns were unrelated to future dysregulated eating. In daily life, state weight/shape concerns was associated with greater risk for over/binge eating at the concurrent EMA prompt, the subsequent EMA prompt, and over the course of a full day, independent of trait concerns. State weight and shape concerns may play an important role in predicting dysregulated eating in daily life among sexual minority women of higher body weight.

Perceptions of body size and health among older queer women of size following participation in a health programme

Little research examines how older queer (lesbian and bisexual) women understand and construct meanings around their body size in the context of individual and community norms and identities. Grounded theory was used to analyse transcripts from 31 interview participants drawn from a health programme in the San Francisco Bay Area. Older queer women of size navigate tensions between body ideals and community ideals in and through their experiences of body size. Women's embodied experiences of fatness, chronic pain and weight changes shifted in tandem with their experience of interactions with other queer women, as well as what bodies and body ideals should be in 'the lesbian community'. This study found that bodily norms and health ideologies are embedded and embodied in communities and navigated through the ongoing formation and configuration of communities over time. Body acceptance movements may be out of touch for this population based on their internalisation of the medical model in which weight loss automatically means improved health. Health interventions for older, queer women of size must be community-based to effectively shift behaviours, norms and expectations around healthy living in fat, ageing bodies.

Body image and sexual orientation: The experiences of lesbian and bisexual women

Western cultures promote a thin and curvaceous ideal body size that most women find difficult to achieve by healthy measures, resulting in poor body image and increased risk for eating pathology. Research focusing on body image in lesbian and bisexual women has yielded inconsistent results. In total, 11 lesbian and bisexual women were interviewed regarding their experiences with body image. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed that these women experienced similar mainstream pressures to conform to a thin body ideal. Furthermore, participants perceived additional pressure to conform to heteronormative standards of beauty since the normalisation of homosexuality and the increase in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender representation in mainstream media.

A systematic review of the literature on weight in sexual minority women

BACKGROUND

Over the past 20 years, a growing literature has demonstrated that sexual minority women have greater weight than heterosexual women, prompting concern that they may be at high risk for disparities in physical disorders. In 2008, Bowen et al. published a review of the existing research on sexual minority women and obesity, finding no methodologically strong studies with representative sampling procedures.

METHOD

We conducted a systematic review of the literature covering the period of July 2006 to February 2014 on the relationship between sexual orientation and weight. The review includes 20 population-based and 17 nonprobability sample studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of these studies found that lesbian and bisexual women had significantly greater body mass index (BMI) or a higher percentage with a BMI over 30 than heterosexual women. The difference in BMI was fairly consistent across the lifespan, with the weight differences beginning in adolescence. The studies, however, did not show a higher prevalence of physical disorders thought to be associated with weight. This potentially paradoxical finding warrants further research to compare prevalence of chronic disease by BMI category and sexual orientation.

Understanding same-sex male and female partners' restrained eating in the context of their relationships

This study examined weight status and dietary restraint among same-sex couples using Actor-Partner Interdependence Models. Body mass indices and restrained eating behaviors (i.e., cognitive dietary restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating) were assessed for members of 144 same-sex couples (72 lesbian and 72 gay couples; mean age = 33.74 years, standard deviation = 11.27 years). Results indicated that both men and women who were relatively heavy and who had relatively thin partners were at particular risk of engaging in restrained eating. These findings extend our understanding of partner comparison processes within the context of same-sex relationships in determining men and women's eating behaviors.

An ecological framework for sexual minority women's health: factors associated with greater body mass

In recent years, many studies have focused on the body of sexual minority women, particularly emphasizing their larger size. These studies rarely offer theoretically based explanations for the increased weight, nor study the potential consequences (or lack thereof) of being heavier. This article provides a brief overview of the multitude of factors that might cause or contribute to larger size of sexual minority women, using an ecological framework that elucidates upstream social determinants of health as well as individual risk factors. This model is infused with a minority stress model, which hypothesizes excess strain resulting from the stigma associated with oppressed minority identities such as woman, lesbian, bisexual, woman of color, and others. We argue that lack of attention to the upstream social determinants of health may result in individual-level victim blaming and interventions that do not address the root causes of minority stress or increased weight.

Sense of Belonging to Layers of Lesbian Community Weakens the Link Between Body Image Dissatisfaction and Depressive Symptoms

There is evidence to suggest that body image dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms are related among lesbians and that the strength of this relationship may be influenced by individuals’ sense of belonging to the lesbian community at each of the three layers: broad, organizational, and friendship. The broad layer provides an overarching ideology and, within this layer, individuals may not have direct contact with each other. The organizational layer is represented by groups, organizations, or activities, which exist to bring together lesbians who have a shared interest or proximity, such as lesbian support, social, or interest groups. The friendship layer refers to one’s personal network of friends, and it provides general support and acceptance of oneself as a whole person. A sample of 162 self-identified Australian lesbians completed measures of body image satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and sense of belonging. Results demonstrated that sense of belonging to each layer moderated the body image dissatisfaction→depressive symptoms relationship such that the relationship weakens with increasingly higher levels of sense of belonging. Results further showed that high levels of sense of belonging to the organizational and friendship layers were particularly protective. Examining each layer of community simultaneously has shown the importance of more intimate relationships, in addition to the relationships at the broad layer. The results have significant implications for treatment interventions. Practitioners should consider ways to connect lesbians to these more intimate layers of community.

A qualitative exploration of whether lesbian and bisexual women are ‘protected’ from sociocultural pressure to be thin

Heterosexual women in Western cultures are known to experience body image concerns, dieting and disordered eating as a result of intense social pressures to be thin. However, it is theorised that lesbian and bisexual women belong to a subculture that is ‘protective’ of such demands. Fifteen non-heterosexual women were interviewed about their experiences of social pressure. Thematic analysis of their accounts suggests that such theorising may be inaccurate, because these lesbian and bisexual women did not feel ‘protected’ from social pressures and experienced body dissatisfaction. While they might attempt to resist thin idealisation, resistance is not centred around their sexuality.

Psychosocial Influences on Bisexual Women’s Body Image

Research on body image has focused almost exclusively on heterosexual women and lesbians, leaving bisexual women’s experiences largely ignored. The present study sought to gain an understanding of psychosocial factors (including sexual prejudice, romantic relationship history, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] communities, and feminist identity) that may contribute to bisexual women’s experiences of body image. The authors conducted semistructured interviews with six bisexual women and used interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyze the results. This analysis resulted in four themes: bisexual women’s desire to accept their bodies in a context of societal objectification; the influence of dominant sexuality and gender binaries that leave bisexual women feeling invisible; the protective role of LGBT communities and feminist identification in helping them resist the thin ideal; and the positive and the negative influences of romantic relationships with men and women. Results highlight the importance of validating sexual identity and promoting feminist identification and inclusion within an LGBT community for bisexual women. Future research might further explore the role of feminist communities and romantic relationships in bisexual women’s body satisfaction and should include the experiences of bisexual women from diverse backgrounds. Editor's Note: Findings for the present study must be considered along with the discussion across the accompanying set of three reflection papers: Yost and Chmielewski (2013); Wilkinson and Kitzinger (2013); and Crawford (2013).

Dual conversations: body talk among young women and their social contacts

In this article, we explore an area little researched within the literature on body dissatisfaction: the content and functions of body talk. We interviewed 60 diverse, college-educated women aged 18 to 30 in the urban United States about how social contacts talked about their bodies. Half the women, and by their reports, half their contacts (N = 295) endorsed some ideal body, most often the thin model. The other half favored a "healthy," "average" range in body size, shape, and/or appearance. Excepting family members, contacts gave mostly positive comments about women's bodies or appearance, or made no comments. Many critiqued their own bodies, however, as did nearly half the women participants. We suggest that these women exempted others, but not themselves, from critical body surveillance, rendering contestation of the ideal theoretical. We also suggest that the parallel airing of self-criticism repeatedly circulated through speech, if not through practice, the imperative to regulate one's own gendered body toward unattainable normativity.

“It’s a Comparison Thing, Isn’t It?”

Women’s feelings about their body and their appearance are an important aspect of their lives, yet little is known about the ways in which partner relationships shape these feelings. There has been some debate about whether or not same-sex relationships offer protection to nonheterosexual (lesbian and bisexual) women from potentially harmful social appearance pressures, but there has been little empirical exploration of this issue. We contribute to the debate by presenting findings from a British qualitative study based on interviews with 15 nonheterosexual women talking about their feelings about their bodies and their appearance in the context of partner relationships. These accounts were analyzed using a phenomenologically oriented form of thematic analysis (TA) and seven main themes were generated. The women suggested that same-sex relationships were both positive and negative influences in shaping their feelings about their body and appearance, highlighting the complexity of this issue. However, positive descriptions of empathy toward body and appearance concerns as well as diversity within same-sex attractions suggest that same-sex relationships have the potential to encourage women to feel happier with their bodies. This analysis also suggests that the theoretical debate is too simplistic and that a synthesized explanation should be explored in future research.

Aging and the Body: A Review

In this article, we examine the existing sociocultural research and theory concerned with the aging body. In particular, we review the body image and embodiment literatures and discuss what is known about how older adults perceive and experience their aging bodies. We analyse how body image is shaped by age, culture, ethnicity, gender, health status, sexual preference, and social class. Additionally, we critically elucidate the embodiment literature as it pertains to illness experiences, sexuality, the everyday management of the aging body, appearance work, and embodied identity. By outlining the key findings, theoretical debates, and substantive discrepancies within the body image and embodiment research and theory, we identify gaps in the literature and forecast future, much-needed avenues of investigation.

Narrating rural lesbian lives: body image and lesbian community in central Pennsylvania

Research on women's body image has focused on the sexual objectification that women experience in society. The present study explored how rural lesbian women experience their bodies and how lesbian communities, as safe havens from the dominant heterosexual culture, contribute to their body image. Ten lesbians living in central Pennsylvania were interviewed for this study. Interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which aims to explore individuals' experiences and examine how they make sense of their world. The resulting themes focus on participants' descriptions of their feelings about their bodies, the role that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities played in their sense of body image, and the difficulties of finding these communities in the central Pennsylvania area.

Grounded theory and feminist inquiry: revitalizing links to the past

Grounded theory has served feminist research endeavors since the mid-1990s. Researchers from a variety of disciplines claim methodological compatibility and incorporate feminist principles into their grounded theory studies. This article seeks to demonstrate the epistemological affinity between feminist inquiry and grounded theory. Although this relationship is not necessarily unique, the authors contend that when combined, it loosens the androcentric moorings of the empirical processes underpinning grounded theory, enabling the researchers to design inquiry with greater potential to reveal issues particular to the lives and experiences of marginalized women. The article begins by retracing the roots of grounded theory and feminist inquiry to identify six key areas where the underpinnings of GT are enriched by a feminist perspective when working with women. In addition, the authors draw on the literature and their experience from a 2005 study of peer support and lone mothers' health to demonstrate the advantages of combining these theoretical perspectives. Finally, the authors recommend that nurse researchers draw on feminist principles to guide their use of grounded theory to better serve the interests of women by surfacing issues of gender and power that influence the health experience.