Abstract
Objective: To explore the relationship of romantic
attachment styles (e.g., Avoidant and anxiety) and
body satisfaction among working and non-working
pregnant women.
Methodology: This cross sectional survey with
pregnant women were taken from Al-Shifa Hospital
(n = 30), Al-Shifa Maternity Care (n = 30) and Benazir
Bhutto Hospital (BBH) (n = 40) from April 2017 to
October 2018. One hundred pregnant women were
selected with purposive sampling technique using
Solvin’s Formula. Experience in Close Relationships
(ECR) and Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS) were used.
To test study hypothesis, Cronbach alpha reliability,
Pearson’s correlation, T-test and ANOVA were
computed.
Results: Women in third trimester experienced more
avoidant attachment (79.01 ± 11.08) and anxiety
attachment. Women in third trimester were higher on
body dissatisfaction (90.13 ± 14.55). Women in 81 –
100 kg weight were higher on avoidant attachment
(75.00 ± 12.56), anxiety attachment (76.66 ± 16.52)
and body dissatisfaction (78.80 ± 19.01). Women with
a greater number of miscarriages were higher on
avoidant attachment (77.00 ± 14.14) and anxiety
attachment (76.76 ± 13.46). Multiple regression
analysis showed that avoidant attachment and anxiety
attachment negatively predicted body dissatisfaction
and explained 24% (R2
= 0.24) variance in body
satisfaction of the pregnant women.
Conclusion: The less level of romantic attachment
styles during pregnancy helps to reduce feeling of
body dissatisfaction among pregnant women.
Keywords: Avoidant attachment, anxiety attachment,
body satisfaction, body dissatisfaction
