Improving body image and sexual life among postpartum women: a single-blind-randomized controlled trial to evaluate a social network-based cognitive-behavioral intervention

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of a social network-based cognitive-behavioral intervention on postpartum body image and sexual life of primiparous women. Methods:In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 82 postpartum women were allocated into 2 intervention and control groups (allocation ratio, 1:1) using permuted block randomization. Primary outcome was change in body image scores between the groups over time. Secondary outcomes were genital self-image, sexual quality of life, and sexual satisfaction. The intervention group participated in 8 (2 weeks) 60-min sessions through WhatsApp (COMPANY, CITY, STATE, COUNTRY). Data were collected at recruitment, post-intervention, and 1-month of follow-up. Results:Cognitive-behavioral intervention had a medium effect on improving body image in postpartum women (partial eta squared=0.33; P<0.001). The results showed significant differences between the 2 groups regarding sexual quality of life and sexual satisfaction at 1-month follow-up. Conclusion:The results of this study can be used to develop psychological interventions targeting body image in postpartum women.

Pregorexia: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the constructs of body image dissatisfaction and eating disturbances by gestational age in the peripartum

“…Qualitative studies highlighted a relationship between body image concerns and sexual functioning [ 42 , 140 , 141 , 172 , 185 , 186 , 193 , 194 ]. This evidence is replicated in studies employing objective psychometric measurements [ 62 , 172 , 195 , 196 ].…”

“…Moreover, 14 studies utilized the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire Appearance Scales—MBSRQ in healthy pregnant women, and were also excluded for similar concerns [ 36 ]. These studies employed various versions of the scale: three studies used a 34-item version [ 37 – 39 ], one study used a 14-item version [ 40 ], another used a 46-item version [ 41 ], one study used a 68-item version [ 42 ], one study used a 69-item version [ 43 ], and two studies used a 7-item version [ 44 , 45 ]. Furthermore, five studies utilized a 9-item version based on the BASS subscale, but data on mean sum scores and standard deviation was unavailable for two of these studies [ 46 – 50 ].…”

The effect of sexual education on the postpartum women’s sexual self-confidence and self-efficacy: a theory-based intervention

“…People with a more positive body perception felt more sexually attractive and showed better sexual behavior [ 25 ]. On the other hand, Talebi et al [ 26 ] and Sabaghian et al [ 27 ] showed that psychological training did not have an influential role in body satisfaction. They believed that the difference in the results of the studies was because of the type of training approach, content, and intervention implementation quality.…”