| Body Image Dissatisfaction (BID) has been considered as one of the important antecedents of Social Physique Anxiety (SPA; Hart, Leary, & Rejeski, 1989). However, the context of romantic relationship has yet to be considered in extant studies on the relationship between BID and SPA. The aim of the present study was to explore moderating effect of several romantic relationship variables in the relationship between BID with partner-SPA and exercise behaviors. College age students (N = 207, Mage = 20.92, SDage = 1.60) completed online questionnaires on body image dissatisfaction, romantic relationship status, length, and romantic relationship satisfaction, exercise behaviors, and partner-SPA. There was a positive yet insignificant correlation between BID and exercise behaviors (r = .07). Therefore, they were excluded from moderating effect analyses. Results indicated that only romantic relationship satisfaction moderated in the relationship between BID and partner-SPA. It was concluded that poor romantic relationship increased the risks of partner-SPA in college students when they were already concerned with body image. After controlling BID, the partner-SPA was consistently higher among undergraduate students who reported lower romantic relationship satisfaction than those who report higher relationship satisfaction. The threshold level of BID that led to significant difference in partner-SPA across different levels of romantic relationship satisfaction was not examined in this study, and warrants further investigation. It was suggested that romantic relationship status should be considered as an important source of body-image-related concerns in future research and counseling practices. |
