Perceived impact of body feedback from romantic partners on young adults’ body image and sexual well-being

•We examined the perceived impact of partner messages on body image and sexuality.•Positive messages were comments/actions that increased confidence/sexual empowerment.•Negative messages were comments/actions that decreased confidence/sexual empowerment.•Everyday messages and some neutral messages also were interpreted as impactful.

This study investigated the messages individuals receive from their partners about their bodies and their perceived impact on body image and sexual well-being. Young adult men (n = 35) and women (n = 57) completed open-ended questions identifying messages they had received from partners and the impact of these messages on their body image and sexual well-being. Content coding revealed three verbal (expressions of approval and pride, challenging negative beliefs, expressions of sexual attraction/arousal/desire) and two nonverbal (physical affection, physical expressions of sexual attraction/arousal/desire) positive messages as well as one verbal (disapproval/disgust) and two nonverbal (rejection, humiliation) negative messages. Some participants reported gender-related messages (muscularity/strength, genital appearance, breast appearance, weight, and comparison to others). Positive messages were seen to increase confidence, self-acceptance, and sexual empowerment/fulfillment, whereas negative messages decreased these feelings. Our findings suggest that even everyday, seemingly neutral messages are perceived to have an important impact on young adults.