Relationship of Self-Esteem With Body Image and Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Pregnancy

Abstract

The current study aimed to determine the relationship of self-esteem with attitudes toward motherhood and pregnancy and body image in Iranian pregnant women. This cross-sectional study included 228 women from Tabriz, Iran. A cluster random sampling method was used. Instruments were the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Scale of Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Pregnancy, and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. To determine the correlation of self-esteem with attitudes toward motherhood and body image, Pearson correlation test was used in bivariate analysis, and the general linear model (GLM) with adjustment of potential confounders was used in multivariate analysis. There was a direct correlation between self-esteem and body image ( r = 0.63) and attitudes toward motherhood ( r = 0.45). Results of the GLM showed a significant improvement in attitudes toward motherhood ( p < 0.001) and body image ( p < 0.001) as self-esteem increased. Based on these results, mental health counseling is recommended to promote pregnant women's self-esteem. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60 (10), 29–37.]