Engaging in risky sexual behaviors poses serious risks to university students
across the United States. Sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies are
highest among the age group of university students. A low level of body image
satisfaction is another prevalent issue among university students that may be linked to
risky sexual behaviors. Specifically regarding university students, more research is
needed to thoroughly understand the relationship between risky sexual behaviors and
body image. A comprehensive review of literature revealed several studies that had
examined body image and general sexual activity. However, a gap in the research
literature was found regarding the potential impact of body image and involvement in
risky sexual behaviors. Therefore, the present study was conducted. The purpose of this
study was to examine the impact of body image on students’ involvement in risky sexual
behaviors, including age at first sexual intercourse, number of lifetime sexual partners,
number of recent sexual partners, ever having engaged in a one-night stand, ever having
engaged in sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, ever having
engaged in sexual intercourse while intoxicated, ever having engaged in sexual intercourse without the use of a condom, use of a condom during last sexual intercourse,
number of lifetime sexual intercourse partners without the use of a condom, frequency of
condom use during sexual intercourse and perceived-self efficacy regarding condom use.
This study also examined whether body image satisfaction differed significantly among
sexually active university students based on: sex, grade, and level of social support.
A total of 465 university students in general education courses at a Midwestern
University completed surveys during the 2011 spring quarter (93% response rate). A
two-page, 51-item survey was developed and tested for validity and reliability.
Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests, multivariate analyses
of variance, and univariate F-tests were performed to analyze the data. Results indicated
that most students (78.9%) had engaged in sexual intercourse during their lifetime and
80.5% of sexually active students had engaged in sexual intercourse without the use of a
condom. In addition, more than half (53.8%) reported having a low level of body image
satisfaction. Engaging in sexual intercourse significantly differed based on level of body
image satisfaction. More specifically, students who had high body image were
significantly more likely than students who had low body image to have ever engaged in
sexual intercourse. However, results indicated no significant relationship between body
image and involvement in risky sexual behaviors such as those noted above. Body image
satisfaction among students did significantly differ based on level of social support.
Students who had high levels of social support had significantly higher levels of body
image satisfaction. Recommendations have been included for future studies.