BODY IMAGE AND SELF CONFIDENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN RURAL INDONESIA
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Risa Putri Utami
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1083-7974
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy in the second and third trimesters involves significant physical changes and psychological adjustments that may influence women’s perceptions of their bodies and their level of self-confidence.
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between body image and self-confidence among pregnant women in the second and third trimesters in Sumogawe Village, Getasan District.
Methods: A quantitative correlational design with a cross-sectional approach was applied. A total of 56 pregnant women were selected using purposive sampling. Body image was assessed using the Body Image Scale, while self-confidence was measured using the Self-Confidence Scale based on Lauster’s concept. Data were collected online through Google Forms with coordination from the village midwife and analyzed using univariate analysis and the Spearman Rank correlation test.
Results: The results showed that most respondents had a positive body image (57.1%), while 42.9% reported a negative body image. In terms of self-confidence, 57.1% of respondents had low self-confidence and 42.9% had high self-confidence. Statistical analysis revealed a strong, positive, and significant relationship between body image and self-confidence (Spearman’s ρ = 0.727; p < 0.001), indicating that a more positive body image is associated with higher self-confidence.
Conclusions: Body image is an important factor related to self-confidence among pregnant women and reflects psychological adaptation during pregnancy. These findings highlight the need to integrate psychosocial assessment and support, particularly related to body image and self-confidence, into routine antenatal care to promote maternal well-being.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Eko Mardiyaningsih, Risa Putri Utami
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References
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Suhartiwi, S. (2020). The development and validation of the Self-Confidence Scale ( SCS ): classical test theory analysis. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pendidikan Indonesia, 6(2), 93–102. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.29210/020203762
Tavananezhad, N., Bolbanabad, A. M., Ghelichkhani, F., Effati-Daryani, F., & Mirghafourvand, M. (2022). The relationship Between Health Literacy and Empowerment in Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04686-z
Turan, A., Gerçek, H., Tüzmen, H. D., & Horasanlı, J. E. (2025). Investigation of Predictors of Body Awareness of Pregnant Women. Revista Da Associação Médica Brasileira, 71(6). https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20241931
Wakkar, A., & Patil, S. (2022). Assessment of Knee and Ankle Proprioception During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Postpartum Period Among Primiparous Women. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 11(1), 241. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_311_22
WHO. (2022). Guide for integration of perinatal mental health in maternal and child health services. WHO.
Zamiri-Miandoab, N., Kamalifard, M., & Mirghafourvand, M. (2022). Relationship of Self-Esteem With Body Image and Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Pregnancy. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(10), 29–37. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20220330-01
Antonie, L., Vintilă, M., Tudorel, O., Țetu, G., Nanu, C. C., & Bularca, M. C. (2020). Body Satisfaction and Self-Esteem in Pregnant Women. Series Vii - Social Sciences and Law, 13(62)(2), 193–200. https://doi.org/10.31926/but.ssl.2020.13.62.2.7
Bień, A., Grzesik‐Gąsior, J., Ćwiek, D., Pięta, B., Kulesza-Brończyk, B., & Bączek, G. (2025). Self-Efficacy as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Body Image and Health Behaviors in Pregnant Women. Scientific Reports, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01784-8
Crossland, A. E., Munns, L., Kirk, E., Elizabeth, C., & Preston, J. (2023). Comparing body image dissatisfaction between pregnant women and non ‑ pregnant women : a systematic review and meta ‑ analysis. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05930-w
Dăescu, A.-M. C., Navolan, D.-B., Dehelean, L., Frandeș, M., Gaitoane, A.-I., Daescu, A., Daniluc, R.-I., & Stoian, D. (2023). The Paradox of Sexual Dysfunction Observed During Pregnancy. Healthcare, 11(13), 1914. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11131914
Daniluc, R.-I., Craina, M., Thakur, B. R., Prodan, M., Bratu, M. L., Dăescu, A.-M. C., Puenea, G., Niculescu, B., & Negrean, R. A. (2024). Comparing Relationship Satisfaction and Body-Image-Related Quality of Life in Pregnant Women With Planned and Unplanned Pregnancies. Diseases, 12(6), 109. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12060109
He, J., Chen, X., & Luo, B. (2025). The association between body image and depressive symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women : a meta-analysis. 13(October), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1655639
Hidayati, R., Kusmanto, A. S., & Kiswantoro, A. (2023). Development and Construct Validation of Indonesian Students Self-Confidance Scale Using Pearson Product Moment. Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 13(3), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.1
Hrvatin, I., Rugelj, D., & Šćepanović, D. (2024). Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain Affects Balance in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy. Plos One, 19(3), e0287221. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287221
Khairani, A. P., Hanan, H., & Amalia, L. (2019). Pengembangan alat ukur skala citra tubuh. Psikologi Proyeksi, 13(2), 195–205. https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.30659/jp.14.2.195-205
Kurt, G., & Arslan, H. (2020). Turkish Version of the Pregnancy‐related Anxiety Scale: A Psychometric Study. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 57(1), 157–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12537
Meireles, J. F. F., Neves, C. M., Amaral, A. C. S., Morgado, F. F. da R., & Ferreira, M. E. C. (2022). Body Appreciation, Depressive Symptoms, and Self-Esteem in Pregnant and Postpartum Brazilian Women. Frontiers in Global Women S Health, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2022.834040
Nagl, M., Jepsen, L. Ø., Linde, K., & Kersting, A. (2019). Measuring Body Image During Pregnancy: Psychometric Properties and Validity of a German Translation of the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale (BIPS-G). BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2386-4
Olabisi, O. I., Ogunmodede, E., Ojo, S., Ilori, O., & Esan, D. T. (2024). Body Image Perception and Social Support as Predictors of Psychological Distress Among Third Trimester Pregnant Women in Nigeria. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24(298), 2–7. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06463-6
Pawestri, P., Yunitasari, E., Khayati, N., & Pranata, S. (2024). Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Compared to BL 23 and GV 3 Point Acupressure Therapy in Reducing Back Pain Intensity in Third Trimester Pregnant Women. Scripta Medica, 55(2), 173–179. https://doi.org/10.5937/scriptamed55-47262
Salzer, E. B., Meireles, J. F. F., Toledo, A. F. Â., Siqueira, M. R. d., Ferreira, M. E. C., & Neves, C. M. (2023). Body Image Assessment Tools in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2258. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032258
Shen, M., Gao, R., Chen, S., Xu, Z., & Ding, X. (2024). The effectiveness of interventions on improving body image for pregnant and postpartum women : a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06787-3
Suhartiwi, S. (2020). The development and validation of the Self-Confidence Scale (SCS): classical test theory analysis. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pendidikan Indonesia, 6(2), 93–102. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.29210/020203762
Tavananezhad, N., Bolbanabad, A. M., Ghelichkhani, F., Effati-Daryani, F., & Mirghafourvand, M. (2022). The Relationship Between Health Literacy and Empowerment in Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04686-z
Turan, A., Gerçek, H., Tüzmen, H. D., & Horasanlı, J. E. (2025). Investigation of Predictors of Body Awareness of Pregnant Women. Revista Da Associação Médica Brasileira, 71(6). https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20241931
Wakkar, A., & Patil, S. (2022). Assessment of Knee and Ankle Proprioception During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Postpartum Period Among Primiparous Women. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 11(1), 241. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_311_22
WHO. (2022). Guide for integration of perinatal mental health in maternal and child health services. WHO.
Zamiri-Miandoab, N., Kamalifard, M., & Mirghafourvand, M. (2022). Relationship of Self-Esteem With Body Image and Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Pregnancy. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 60(10), 29–37. https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20220330-01