The effect of pregnancy on self-concept, marital satisfaction and body density

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to observe self-concept and marital satisfaction in relation to physical changes occurring in early and later stages of pregnancy. Sixteen women in the first month of pregnancy participated in a study of changes occurring in the first trimester of pregnancy, and twenty women in their sixth month of pregnancy participated in a study of changes in self-concept, marital satisfaction and body density during the third trimester of pregnancy. Self-concept was measured by the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, marital satisfaction was measured by the Marital Satisfaction Scale, and body density was determined by underwater weighing techniques. The first trimester study compared changes in self-concept, marital satisfaction and body density at one and three months of pregnancy, and the third trimester study compared changes in these variables at six and eight months of pregnancy. No relationships were observed between self-concept, marital satisfaction and body density after one and three months of pregnancy, or between self-concept and marital satisfaction after six and eight months of pregnancy. Self-concept did not change during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Changes were, however, observed in the subscores of self-satisfaction, physical self, personal self and behavior. Self-satisfaction decreased in early pregnancy and then increased in late pregnancy. No change was observed in marital satisfaction during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, which was attributed to the observation that most of the women reported that they had a good relationship with their husbands, they had been married at least 5 years and that the pregnancy was planned. Body density was unchanged during the first trimester of pregnancy and increased during the third trimester. This indicated that weight gains during early pregnancy are in the same proportions as the mother and in the latter stages of pregnancy, fat stores are being utilized for energy production by the unborn baby. There was no relationship between body density and either self-concept or marital satisfaction at six and eight months of pregnancy, indicating that changes in body composition during the latter stages of pregnancy are more likely influenced by physiological requirements than by the factors observed.