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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
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Sociocultural pressures and body related experiences during pregnancy and the postpartum period: A qualitative study

Rachel F Rodgers1, Jenna Campagna2, Gabriella Hayes2

  • 1APPEAR, Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, USA; Department of Psychiatric Emergency & Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHRU Montpellier, France.

Body Image
|December 15, 2023
PubMed

Sociocultural pressures to pursue unrealistic appearance expectations and control body shape and weight during pregnancy and postpartum periods have been increasing. Little is known about messages from different sources that may constitute unhelpful or protective influences. The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine messages women received from the sociocultural environment during pregnancy and postpartum and their association with experiences of living in their bodies and body change behaviors. Twenty women, mean age (SD)= 31.85, (2.3) years, 95% White, 60% with a Master's degree or higher, participated in individual interviews and completed online surveys. Women described appearance pressure from multiple sources during and after pregnancy, that increased their concerns related to their weight and shape. For a small number, these concerns were associated with efforts to control weight. Others described protective influences from friends and family that promoted body attunement, functionality appreciation, and positive body image. Findings highlight the importance of sociocultural influences during the peripregnancy period yet how many women derive elements of positive body image from this period. These findings have implications for interventions to support body image among women during the peripregnancy period and positive outcomes among mothers and infants.

Keywords:
Body imageBreastfeedingMediaMothersPostpartumPregnancySociocultural

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