Factors affecting body image in pregnancy: A path analysis

Increasing knowledge about body image dissatisfaction and risk factors during pregnancy will provide opportunities to develop targeted interventions. This study examined body image and associated factors during pregnancy cross-sectionally. Data were collected from 931 pregnant women using a descriptive form and the Pregnancy Body Image Scale. Analyses used t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, regression, and path analysis. The study found that advanced age (β = .10), gestational weight gain (β = .17), health problems during pregnancy (β = .12), and low income (β = .16) increased body image dissatisfaction, whereas not paying attention to appearance before pregnancy (β = -.12), spousal support (β = -.09), and planned pregnancy (β = -.07) reduced it. Additionally, low income indirectly increased dissatisfaction by hindering planned pregnancy (β = -.11), while advanced age (β = .15), lack of pre-pregnancy concern for appearance (β = .09), and spousal support (β = .13) indirectly decreased dissatisfaction through promoting planned pregnancy. Based on the study results, it is recommended that midwives and nurses closely monitor and support women at risk of body image dissatisfaction, including those who are older, have low socioeconomic status, lack partner support, experience unplanned pregnancies or health problems, and pay attention to their appearance before pregnancy.