Is social media use a predictive factor for body image during pregnancy?

Aim: This research was conducted to investigate whether social media use in pregnant women predicted body image during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A descriptive and correlational design was employed. Data were collected using a "Pregnant Descriptive Characteristics Form," the "Social Media Use Scale (SMUS)," and the "Body Image Perception Scale (BIPS)." Pregnant women were reached through social media platforms. The sample size was calculated using an a priori power analysis on the G-Power software as 157 pregnant women, based on linear regression analysis, a significance level of 0.01, a power value of 95%, and a medium effect. A total of 160 pregnant women were included. Results: There was no relationship between the mean SMUS total score and the mean score on the BIPS total and the "BIPS satisfaction with looking pregnant sub-dimension." The mean SMUS total score had a low-level, positive relationship with the "BIPS weight gain concerns sub-dimension" and a negative, weak relationship with the "BIPS physical burdens of pregnancy sub-dimension." There was no relationship between the "SMUS competency sub-dimension" and the mean BIPS total score. The "SMUS competency sub-dimension" score predicted the "satisfaction with looking pregnant sub-dimension" negatively and at a low level, "weight gain concerns sub-dimension" positively and at a low level, and "physical burdens of pregnancy sub-dimension" negatively and at a low level. There was no significant relationship between the "SMUS continuity sub-dimension" and the BIPS total score and the "satisfaction with looking pregnant sub-dimension." The "continuity sub-dimension" predicted the "weight gain concerns sub-dimension" positively and at a low level and the "physical burdens of pregnancy sub-dimension" negatively and at a low level. Conclusion: In conclusion, social media use was associated with pregnant women's body perception. Education programs should be planned and implemented to raise awareness about the negative effects of social media on the body image of pregnant women. Key words: Body Image; Facebook; Instagram; Pregnancy; Social Media