Attachment insecurities and body image self-consciousness among women: The mediating role of pornography use

Abstract

The present study examined the mediating role of pornography use between attachment insecurities and body image self-consciousness in a large sample of women. We hypothesized that pornography use would mediate the relationship between insecure attachment orientations and body image self-consciousness. We recruited a convenient sample of 1001 Israeli women who completed measures assessing attachment orientation, body self-consciousness, and pornography use frequency. We employed structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation method to examine the direct pathways between attachment and body image self-consciousness, as well as the indirect, or mediational, pathways through pornography use. Results found a direct effect of anxious and avoidant attachment on body image self-consciousness in women regardless of their relationship status. However, we only found a mediating role of pornography use between anxious attachment and body-image self-consciousness in women currently in a romantic relationship. In conclusion, our results suggest women may be more susceptible to the influence of pornography use on their body image self-consciousness when they are anxiously attached to a romantic partner. Implications for clinical practice and future directions are discussed.