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This cross-sectional study examined the links between body appreciation, contraceptive use, and sexual health outcomes. Body appreciation has been shown to influence contraceptive use in homogenous samples of women. However, a common problem in body image literature is a lack of racial and ethnic diversity with regard to sample; this study was able to take steps toward overcoming that limitation. A sample of 499 women aged 18–56 ( M  = 26.24; SD = 6.15) was recruited via Reddit.com—White (29.3%, n  = 120), Asian (19%, n  = 78), Black (17.3%, n  = 73), multiracial (13.9%, n  = 57), and Latina (13.9%, n  = 57). Covariates included race/ethnicity, body size as measured by body mass index, relationship status, age, sexual orientation, and education level. Results indicated that higher levels of body appreciation were related to a higher likelihood of using non-barrier contraception. Regarding the covariates, race, relationship status, age, and education were related to non-barrier contraceptive use and age was related to dual contraceptive use. Further exploration is needed to determine how body appreciation may affect contraceptive use and sexual health outcomes and how these differ by race/ethnicity.

There is a wealth of empirical support for objectification theory. Researchers have suggested an extension to the theory that includes risky sexual behaviors as a consequence of body shame. However, there are no known studies that place the association between body image and sexual behavior in the context of the interpersonal sexual relationship. The current study was grounded in objectification theory and relational cultural theory and sought to better understand how negative self-objectification, body appreciation, relationship quality, and preventive sexual health behaviors are related. An online survey was conducted with 399 emerging adult women in the Midwest, and the proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results suggest that, among this sample, negative self-objectification was indirectly related to preventive sexual health behaviors through body appreciation alone and through both body appreciation and relationship quality. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

Although research suggests an association between body image and mental health, with poor body image related to several mental illnesses, there is no research exploring mental health clinicians’ body image screening practices. This study aims to fill this gap among a sample of community mental health providers ( N  = 216). Using a cross-sectional design, clinicians in Community Health Centers were recruited through email using purposeful and snowball sampling in a Midwest state. The majority of participants identified as women (88.4%) and White (88.4%). Additionally, the mean age of the sample was 36.66 years and participants reported working an average of 8.44 years as a mental health provider. We ran descriptive and Chi square analyses. Results suggest a relationship between viewing body image screening as important and level of preparedness as well as level of preparedness and actual assessment. Training and assessment tools may be warranted to increase clinician’s preparedness. Additional clinical and policy recommendations are discussed.

Body appreciation is associated with health outcomes and affects individuals across their life span, making this area of inquiry particularly relevant to social workers. Race and ethnicity have not been explored thoroughly as demographic characteristics that influence body appreciation. This study aimed to fill this gap by answering the following research questions: (a) How do favorite and least favorite body parts vary by race and ethnicity and (b) how do body appreciation, skin tone satisfaction, body size, and weight perception vary by race and ethnicity? Using Reddit, we recruited 18-through 56-year-old (N = 497) women who identified as African American, white, Asian, Hispanic/Latina, or more than one of these (multiracial). Results suggest that abs and stomach were the least favorite body parts/features across races and ethnicities, with differences in favorite body parts/features among women of color and white women. In addition, African American women reported highest body appreciation whereas white women reported the lowest. Latina women reported highest skin tone satisfaction, with multiracial women reporting the lowest. This study suggests that women of color’s body appreciation goes beyond the traditional comparison with the white ideal and further body image research should look outside this myopic duality.

Social workers frequently engage with sexual and reproductive health topics, yet a notable paucity of social work research exists regarding abortion. Informed by overlapping theoretical frameworks of human rights and reproductive justice, this study examined a large, nationwide survey of social work students in the United States (N = 504). Linear regressions indicated that students' endorsements of permissive sexual attitudes and support for birth control are inversely associated with holding anti-choice abortion views. Moreover, distinct relationships were found among sociodemographic characteristics and abortion attitudes and knowledge, suggesting that social work education efforts regarding contentious reproductive and sexual health topics should also focus on nuances of cultural competence and diversity, as well as general human rights principles and professional ethics.

This study explores the transition and adjustment of African immigrant women, particularly Ethiopian immigrant women (EIW), as they navigate the U.S. healthcare system and their ability to access and utilize healthcare services. A qualitative cross-sectional design with a mix of purposive and snowball sampling techniques was utilized to recruit EIW (N = 21, ≥18 years) who arrived in the U.S. within the last five years. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using Nvivo12 software. The thematic analysis revealed three major themes: (1) settling into new life in the U.S. delays EIWs’ ability to access primary healthcare; (2) adjusting to the U.S. healthcare system: confusions and mixed perceptions; and (3) avoidance of care: EIW’s reasons for PHC visits changed in the U.S. Participants avoided healthcare, except for life-threatening conditions, general check-ups, and maternal healthcare services. Transitional support for legal, residential, employment, and health information could help tackle the challenges of accessing primary healthcare for EIW. Future research should analyze access to healthcare in relation to the everyday struggles of immigrant women, as well as legal and complex structural issues beyond acculturative issues.

In this study, we examine if school physical education (PE) policy initiatives are related to body image among adolescents. Problems with body image often peak during adolescence, and it is important that there are ways of improving body image among youth. This cross-sectional study used data from the Health Behavior in School-Aged Children 2001-2002 survey and examined the relationship between PE (requiring PE, number of days spent in PE, and number of minutes spent exercising in PE) and both perceived body size and perceived attractiveness. Regression analyses were conducted with the three PE variables predicting perceived body size and perceived attractiveness. Among boys, requiring PE and the number of minutes spent exercising in PE were negatively related to body size perception. Among girls, number of days in PE and number of minutes spent exercising were negatively related to body size perception. The number of days spent in PE and the number of minutes spent exercising in PE were positively related to perceived attractiveness among boys, while requiring PE was negatively associated with perceived attractiveness among girls. Based on the results of this study, PE may be an important and cost-effective way of reducing negative body image among adolescents, although special consideration may be needed for reducing negative perceived attractiveness among girls. Therefore, school policy implications are discussed. Expanding school programs that promote physical activity, such as PE class, may be a great way of improving body image for a large number of students.

Sexual health has been a focus of interdisciplinary professionals for centuries. The social work profession, however, did not and has not completely committed itself to the field of sexuality despite the fit between sexual health, sexuality, and social work. This chapter will guide you through the history of the Social Work Profession as it relates to human sexuality and sexual health. From the time of Settlement houses to the world of online \"hook-ups\", sexuality has been identified as a vital aspect of any individual's life course. Social workers work within, around, and in collaboration with other professionals to address and intervene in issues of sexuality and sexual health. However, our profession must commit to this practice and policy area to improve the lives of our clients while working towards equality in sexual health.

Body image, sexual identity, sexual well-being, and gender identity interact in complex ways in youths' lives. While separate concepts, they inherently intertwine as each affects the other socially, emotionally, developmentally, and physically. Gender-diverse youth must navigate the development of their gender and sexual identities in a social environment that often stigmatizes them while also confronting gender dysphoria that can harm their body image. Disruptions in the development of gender and sexual identities and negative body image can lead to reduced levels of sexual well-being, which can negatively impact gender-diverse youths' overall well-being. This chapter reviews literature regarding body image, sexual and gender identity development, and sexual well-being among gender-diverse youth, with a focus on how the four aspects of gender-diverse youths' lives intersect. It concludes with recommendations for social work practice, education, and research so that social workers can be better attuned to gender-diverse youths' complex gender-, sexuality-, and body image-based needs.

College students represent a unique population of interest to researchers, college health clinic and wellness program directors, as well as policy makers who are interested in promoting sexual health and well-being in young adults. In order to better understand the needs of this population, a large public, Land-grant University in the Mid-Atlantic region participated in the National College Health Assessment survey during 2010 and 2011. A stratified random sample of full-time undergraduate and graduate students was invited to participate in an online survey. The final sample included 2,304 students. Descriptive statistics using Chi-square highlight the relationships between student sexual practices, sexual health screening and prevention practices, and receipt of sexual health education at the university. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the factors associated with receipt of sexual health education. Implications for college health and wellness stakeholders are discussed.