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Body dissatisfaction and fat talk during pregnancy : Predictors of distress
Rachel Dryer Graefin von der Schulenburg, Isabella Brunton, Robyn
Rachel Dryer
Graefin von der Schulenburg, Isabella
Brunton, Robyn
Abstract
Background
During pregnancy, women are vulnerable to mood and anxiety disorders due to the significant physical and emotional changes that occur during this period. For some women, pregnancy can also present as a period of immense body dissatisfaction due to the substantial changes in body shape and size.
Objectives
This study examined the mediating role of Fat Talk (i.e., engaging in disparaging comments about one's body shape and size with others) in the relationship between (a) body dissatisfaction and distress in pregnant women (i.e., pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology), and (b) sociocultural pressure to meet the thin ideal and distress.
Method
A nonclinical sample of 408 pregnant women (Mage = 28.24 years, SDage = 5.04, range 18–44 years) completed measures of body dissatisfaction, sociocultural pressure, pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology.
Findings
Analyses confirmed the partial mediating role of Fat Talk between body dissatisfaction and all three measures of distress, when examined individually. Fat Talk also mediated the relationship between sociocultural pressure (i.e., peers/family and media) and the three measures of distress. Age also partially mediated the relationship between body dissatisfaction and a composite measure of pregnancy distress.
Conclusions
The results suggest that women face sociocultural pressures for thinness and body dissatisfaction even when pregnant, and that engaging in Fat Talk contribute to greater levels of pregnancy-related anxiety, depression and eating disorder symptomatology. The role of Fat Talk in regard to pregnancy distress may be more pertinent to younger women.
Keywords
Fat Talk, body dissatisfaction, sociocultural pressure, pregnancy, pregnancy-related anxiety, depression, problematic eating behaviour
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Affective Disorders
Book
Volume
267
Issue
Page Range
289-296
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled