%0 Journal Article
%T Examining Relationships Between Sexual Risk¨CSafety Behaviors and Physical Self
%A Catherine Potard
%A C¨¦line Lancelot
%A Robert Courtois
%J Emerging Adulthood
%@ 2167-6984
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/2167696817750802
%X Sexual behavior is a normative part of the transition to adulthood, with an intensification of the exploration of the links between self-esteem, sexuality, and physical self-perception. This study examined the relationships between sexual risk¨Csafety behaviors and overall physical self-concept, as well as its subdimensions such as sports ability, body fat, or physical appearance. In total, 652 sexually active undergraduate students completed self-report questionnaires about their physical self-concept and sexual behaviors. A clustering analysis described three patterns of sexual risk¨Csafety behaviors for women and men: ˇ°birth control in a relationship,ˇ± ˇ°condom users,ˇ± and ˇ°risk-takers.ˇ± The male sexual risk-takers reported lower physical self-concept scores related to physical competence and masculinity subdomains (sports, endurance) than the two other groups. The female sexual risk-takers expressed significantly higher physical dissatisfaction in social and femininity subdomains (appearance, strength) than the others. A lack of perceived physical coordination was strongly associated with sexual risk-taking for both men and women. These findings indicate that specific subdomains of physical self-concept may be linked to safer or risky sexual behaviors in a sample of young adults
%K physical self-concept
%K risky sexual behaviors
%K young adults
%K body image
%K gender
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2167696817750802