Keywords
body image
sexual communication
sexual satisfaction
How to Cite
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify the psychological mechanisms that mediate the relationship between attachment style and sexual satisfaction among young men in romantic relationships. Based on a review of the literature, a serial mediation model was proposed in which body image and sexual communication serve as mediators. The study included 187 men aged between 19 and 32 years (M = 26; SD = 7.26). Standardized psychometric instruments were used to assess attachment style, body image attitudes, sexual communication self-efficacy, and overall sexual satisfaction. Results revealed that secure attachment was positively associated with sexual satisfaction, and this effect was fully mediated by a more positive body image and higher sexual communication efficacy. For the anxious-ambivalent attachment style, a full serial mediation was observed: individuals with high attachment anxiety tended to exhibit a more negative body image, which reduced their openness in sexual communication and, in turn, was linked to lower sexual satisfaction. In the case of avoidant attachment, a partial mediation was identified: the negative impact of avoidant attachment on sexual satisfaction was primarily explained by reduced sexual communication efficacy, with a weaker but still significant link to body image. These findings highlight the importance of complex psychological mechanisms that connect early attachment patterns with the quality of adult sexual functioning. The results also point to the relevance of therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing body image and developing sexual communication skills among men with insecure attachment styles.
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