Body image and first sexual intercourse in late adolescence

Sara A. Vasilenko; Nilam Ram; Eva S. Lefkowitz

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.04.005

Body image and first sexual intercourse in late adolescence

Sara A. Vasilenko
, Nilam Ram
, Eva S. Lefkowitz

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sexual behavior is associated with body image, but the directionality of this association is unclear. This study used longitudinal data from a sample of previously abstinent college students (N = 100, 45% female, 49% European American, 26% Latino American, 25% African American) to test whether satisfaction with appearance changed after first intercourse. Male students were more satisfied with their appearance after first intercourse, whereas female students became slightly less satisfied with their appearance. These findings demonstrate that first intercourse can lead to changes in well-being, even if the transition takes places in late adolescence. In addition, they suggest that gendered cultural expectations regarding sexual behavior are associated with differing psychological outcomes for male and female adolescents.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	327-335
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Adolescence
Volume	34
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.04.005
State	Published - Apr 2011

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Social Psychology
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

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10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.04.005

Cite this

@article{1c162f7265b3422ba5d48bda128ae390,

title = "Body image and first sexual intercourse in late adolescence",

abstract = "Sexual behavior is associated with body image, but the directionality of this association is unclear. This study used longitudinal data from a sample of previously abstinent college students (N = 100, 45\% female, 49\% European American, 26\% Latino American, 25\% African American) to test whether satisfaction with appearance changed after first intercourse. Male students were more satisfied with their appearance after first intercourse, whereas female students became slightly less satisfied with their appearance. These findings demonstrate that first intercourse can lead to changes in well-being, even if the transition takes places in late adolescence. In addition, they suggest that gendered cultural expectations regarding sexual behavior are associated with differing psychological outcomes for male and female adolescents.",

author = "Vasilenko, \{Sara A.\} and Nilam Ram and Lefkowitz, \{Eva S.\}",

note = "Funding Information: This study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to Eva Lefkowitz ( R-01 HD 41720 ). We would like to thank Jennifer Maggs and Meghan Gillen for commenting on an earlier version of this manuscript, as well as the following individuals involved in data collection: Sandra Abarca, Lauren Dietz, Jennifer Fang, Graciela Espinosa-Hernandez, Shelley Hosterman, McKenzie Jones, Emily Killoren, Casey O{\textquoteright}Neil, Annie Pezella, Cindy Shearer and Tara Stoppa. ",

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language = "English (US)",

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AU - Vasilenko, Sara A.

AU - Ram, Nilam

AU - Lefkowitz, Eva S.

N1 - Funding Information: This study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to Eva Lefkowitz ( R-01 HD 41720 ). We would like to thank Jennifer Maggs and Meghan Gillen for commenting on an earlier version of this manuscript, as well as the following individuals involved in data collection: Sandra Abarca, Lauren Dietz, Jennifer Fang, Graciela Espinosa-Hernandez, Shelley Hosterman, McKenzie Jones, Emily Killoren, Casey O’Neil, Annie Pezella, Cindy Shearer and Tara Stoppa.

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N2 - Sexual behavior is associated with body image, but the directionality of this association is unclear. This study used longitudinal data from a sample of previously abstinent college students (N = 100, 45% female, 49% European American, 26% Latino American, 25% African American) to test whether satisfaction with appearance changed after first intercourse. Male students were more satisfied with their appearance after first intercourse, whereas female students became slightly less satisfied with their appearance. These findings demonstrate that first intercourse can lead to changes in well-being, even if the transition takes places in late adolescence. In addition, they suggest that gendered cultural expectations regarding sexual behavior are associated with differing psychological outcomes for male and female adolescents.

AB - Sexual behavior is associated with body image, but the directionality of this association is unclear. This study used longitudinal data from a sample of previously abstinent college students (N = 100, 45% female, 49% European American, 26% Latino American, 25% African American) to test whether satisfaction with appearance changed after first intercourse. Male students were more satisfied with their appearance after first intercourse, whereas female students became slightly less satisfied with their appearance. These findings demonstrate that first intercourse can lead to changes in well-being, even if the transition takes places in late adolescence. In addition, they suggest that gendered cultural expectations regarding sexual behavior are associated with differing psychological outcomes for male and female adolescents.

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DO - 10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.04.005

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ER -

Body image and first sexual intercourse in late adolescence

Abstract

UN SDGs

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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