BODY DISSATISFACTION AND SEXUALITY AMONG WOMEN WITH BULIMIA-NERVOSA

Objective: Past research and clinical observations have implicated sex uality as a; factor involved in eating disorders. Yet little research has been conducted on possible links between body image and sexuality. We investigated such relationships within a large sample of women wit h bulimia nervosa. Method: A sample of adult women (N = 221) diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, purging type, completed a widely used measure o f body dissatisfaction and answered questions about basic sexual exper iences (coital and masturbation experience, age of onset of these acti vities, and self-rated satisfaction with current sexual activity). Res ults: After controlling for age, age of onset of menses, and current b ody size, body dissatisfaction was unrelated to coital experience. How ever, even after controlling for these relevant covariates, current bo dy dissatisfaction was predictive of lower incidence, and later onset, of masturbation. Current body dissatisfaction was marginally related (p < .10) to self-rated satisfaction with one's current sex life. Disc ussion: Results are discussed with regard to past research, directions for future research, and clinical implications. (C) 1997 by John Wile y & Sons, Inc.