Longitudinal associations between mindfulness and changes to body image in first-time parent couples

The relationship between women's mode of delivery, body image, self-respect, and genital self-image

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Many factors affect women's genital self-image. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between women's mode of delivery, body image, self-esteem, and genital self-image.

METHODS

The research was carried out in two public hospitals between 15 January 2022 and 30 June 2022. The study sample consisted of a total of 197 multiparous women in the early postpartum period. They were asked to fill out a Personal Information Form, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Body-Esteem Scale (BES), and the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS), based on self-report. The Chi-squared, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 49.50% had a vaginal delivery, and 50.50% had a cesarean section. Their mean scores were 0.64 ± 0.62 on the RSES, 155.01 ± 24.40 on the BIS, and 20.97 ± 4.39 on the FGSIS. As the women's age increased, their mean FGSIS score also increased. There was negative correlation between women's mean RSES and FGSIS scores. A positive, significant correlation was found between the mean FGSIS and BES scores of the women. Of the variables included in the multiple linear regression model, age, self-esteem, and body image were statistically significant predictors 19.5% of the FGSIS score (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Mode of delivery was not a predictor of female genital self-image in the early postpartum period. Women with high self-esteem had a positive body image and genital self-image. Age, self-esteem, and body image were influential on female genital self-image. On the other hand, age, self-esteem, and body image predicted about 19.5% of female genital self-image according to multiple linear regression.

Longitudinal associations between relational and sexual well-being in couples transitioning to parenthood

There is limited understanding of the dynamic between relational and sexual well-being as couples adjust to new parenthood, despite this being a vulnerable period for couples' relationships. This study was aimed at examining the bidirectional links between relationship quality and sexual well-being (i.e., sexual satisfaction, sexual distress) across the transition to parenthood. We assessed new parent couples (N = 257) across four time points (two prenatal) from mid-pregnancy through 6 months postpartum. Parallel dyadic latent growth curve modeling was employed to examine the associations between trajectories of perceived relationship quality, sexual satisfaction, and sexual distress. New parents' declines in relationship quality were associated with declines in own and partners' sexual satisfaction and with increases in own sexual distress. Mothers' prenatal relationship quality and sexual distress predicted subsequent changes in own sexual distress and fathers' relationship quality, respectively. Results indicate that changes to new parents' relational and sexual well-being mutually influence each other over time. Current results indicate that the impact of the transition on couples' relationships is partly determined by own and partners' prenatal factors, to which clinicians and researchers can attend to early on. Cross-domain links between relational and sexual well-being should be considered in research and clinical practice.