Body dissatisfaction and romantic relationship quality: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Research has shown that there is an association between body dissatisfaction (a person’s negative evaluation of their own physical body) and romantic relationship satisfaction. Some have suggested that individuals with higher levels of body dissatisfaction report less satisfaction with their romantic relationships. However, others have suggested that there is a positive relationship between these two variables. This meta-analysis sought to examine the relationship between body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction. Possible moderators of this relationship were also examined. Fifty-six studies were meta-analyzed to quantitatively summarize the relationship between body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction. Additionally, participant body mass index (BMI), relationship length, gender, sexual orientation, and age were considered as potential moderators of this relationship. Results confirmed previous findings, indicating that body dissatisfaction was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction (rxy = −0.24). Furthermore, moderation analyses found that this negative relationship between body dissatisfaction and relationship satisfaction was attenuated as BMI increased. This relationship became stronger when the studies had higher female representation. Some sexual orientations also moderated the relationship. No moderating effects of age or relationship length were found.