Date of Award

Summer 2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology

Committee Director

Kristin E. Heron

Committee Member

Sarah J. Ehlke

Committee Member

James F. Paulson

Committee Member

Jennifer Flaherty

Abstract

Body image during pregnancy is a critical concern for maternal and fetal health, as it is associated with adverse health outcomes for mothers and neonates. Findings regarding if and how body image dissatisfaction changes during pregnancy are equivocal. A vast majority of studies examining body image during pregnancy focus on negative aspects of body image (e.g., body dissatisfaction), and there are limited studies of positive body image during pregnancy. Although the literature examining body image’s association with mental health concerns during pregnancy is well-developed, there is far less research exploring associations with physical health. Given these notable gaps, the present study aimed to examine aspects of body dissatisfaction and positive body image during pregnancy and determine if and how these aspects of body image differ in each trimester. Additionally, this study explored associations between body image and eating behaviors and physical activity and determined if these associations vary based on gestational period. Participants were 176 pregnant adults recruited from social media platforms and other online forums. Participants completed measures of pre-conception and current body dissatisfaction and positive body image, current eating behaviors and physical activity, demographics, and pregnancy health background. Results revealed no significant differences in body image between trimester groups. Preoccupation with physical appearance was positively associated with binge eating, and dissatisfaction with strength-relatedaspects of body was negatively associated with purging and restricting. Positive body image was associated with greater use of intuitive eating behaviors. Gestational weeks moderated five associations: (1) preoccupation with physical appearance and physical activity; (2) prioritization of appearance over function and physical activity; (3) prioritization of appearance over function and binge eating; (4) positive body image and binge eating; and (5) positive body image and intuitive eating. Future research should utilize longitudinal designs to explore the trajectory of body image and its association with health behaviors across the perinatal period.

Comments

A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculties of Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk State University, and Old Dominion University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology through the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/c4ad-dx10

ISBN

9798384444404

ORCID

0000-0002-2151-4452

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