PERCEIVED PARTNER SUPPORT, BODY DISSATISFACTION AND MARITAL SATISFACTION IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND IN THEIR PARTNERS

Body dissatisfaction during pregnancy is of particular importance because it can potentially lead to unhealthy eating and weight loss behaviors (Fairburn & Welch, 1990). The aim of the present study was to analyze the contribution of body dissatisfaction to marital satisfaction in pregnant women and in their partners. 50 pregnant women and their partner participated in the study (Women mean age: 32.15; SD:4.9; Men mean age 34.62; SD: 5.9). They answered a questionnaire including measures of marital satisfaction (Ward et al., 2009; α = .80 (women); α = .82 (men), of perceived partner support (Brassard et al., 2011): α = .85 (women and men) and of body dissatisfaction during pregnancy (Kline, 1986; Skouteris et al., 2005). Two hierarchical regressions analyses were conducted considering as outcome, respectively marital satisfaction perceived by women, and marital satisfaction perceived by men. In both regressions, perceived partner support and women body dissatisfaction (in regard to bust, stomach and hips) were considered as predictors. In the first regression, perceived partner support( β=.45; p<.01) and hips body dissatisfaction (β=-.24 p<.05) predicted women marital satisfaction [R2=.35]. In the second regression only perceived partner support (β=-.52 p<.01) predicted men marital satisfaction [R2=.31]. Perceived partner support influences marital satisfaction in pregnant women and in their partners. Body dissatisfaction may contribute in explaining marital dissatisfaction in women. Longitudinal studies are need to better investigate this issue.