Testing the tripartite influence model on body image among pregnant women

The Tripartite Influence Model provides a robust framework for understanding how sociocultural pressures, mediated by psychological processes, contribute to body dissatisfaction. The present study aimed to test this model among pregnant women, in which media, peers, family and significant others pressures were associated with body dissatisfaction via physical appearance comparison and thin-ideal internalization. We predicted that all sociocultural sources of influence would be associated with body dissatisfaction both directly and indirectly. Participants (309 pregnant women, mean-age: 32.9 years) completed a questionnaire containing the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4R, the Physical-Appearance Comparison Scale, and the Body-Shape Questionnaire-14. A path analysis was performed in which media, peers, family and significant others pressures were posited as predictors of the physical appearance comparison, thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction, respectively. We found that only media and family pressures were directly related to body dissatisfaction. Moreover, the indirect effect of both media and significant others pressures on body dissatisfaction through physical appearance comparison and thin-ideal internalization was significant. Peer pressures (i.e., perceived expectations and evaluative comments) were not associated with body dissatisfaction either directly or indirectly. Overall, these findings provide information about the role that sociocultural pressures, particularly those from media, family and significant others, play in shaping body dissatisfaction among pregnant women. The study highlighted the importance for healthcare professionals to address the impact of societal beauty ideals on pregnant women's mental health and body image. Healthcare providers might consider incorporating psychological assessments into prenatal care to identify women at risk of heightened body dissatisfaction.