Investigation of the Relationship Between Exercise Attitudes of Pregnant Women and Their Motherhood and Body Perceptions

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pregnant women’s exercise attitude and their perceptions of motherhood and body. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, comparative, and correlational study. Data were collected using a descriptive characteristics form, the Exercise Attitude Scale for Pregnant Women, and the Self-Perception of Pregnants Scale. The study sample consisted of 262 pregnant women who applied to a University Hospital, between July and October 2022. Data were assessed with t-test, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: There was found no relationship between Exercise Attitude Scale scores and the mean scores motherhood and body perception. However, the relationship between Exercise Attitude Scale’s knowledge level and maternal perception score was positive. The relationship between Exercise Attitude Scale’s barrier sub-dimension score and maternal perception was negative, while the relationship between the Exercise Attitude Scale sub-dimension barrier and body perception was positive. Pregnant women who were informed about exercise and believed in the benefits of exercise had positive maternal and body perceptions. Conclusion: To increase the adaptation of pregnant women their pregnancy, their exercise knowledge should be increased and their barriers should be reduced.