The relationships between body surveillance, body shame, and contextual body concern during sexual activities in ethnically diverse female college students

This study investigated the relationships between body surveillance, body shame, and contextual body image during sexual activity in American female college students of European, African, Asian, and Hispanic/Latina descent (N = 1174). Responses to self-report questionnaires indicated that body surveillance and body shame were significantly positively correlated with contextual body concern during sexual activities for women of all ethnic groups. Examination of direct and indirect effects using structural equation modeling indicated that body shame partially mediated the relationship between body surveillance and contextual body image during sexual activity for the sample as a whole. However, multiple-group analyses (i.e., path invariance tests) showed that some of these relationships differed by ethnic group, with European American women reporting the strongest relationships. Study results generally support the mediational role of body shame, but highlight that the strength of these relationships and means may differ across ethnic groups.

► We examined body image during sexual activities in female college students.
► European American women reported the highest levels of body shame and surveillance.
► Body surveillance and shame predict contextual body image during sexual activities.
► Ethnic group differences emerged in the strength of these relationships.