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The relationship between women's mode of delivery, body image, self-respect, and genital self-image

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

Many factors affect women’s genital self-image. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between women's mode of delivery, body image, self-esteem, and genital self-image.

Methods

The research was carried out in two public hospitals between 15 January 2022 and 30 June 2022. The study sample consisted of a total of 197 multiparous women in the early postpartum period. They were asked to fill out a Personal Information Form, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Body-Esteem Scale (BES), and the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS), based on self-report. The Chi-squared, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used.

Results

Of the participants, 49.50% had a vaginal delivery, and 50.50% had a cesarean section. Their mean scores were 0.64 ± 0.62 on the RSES, 155.01 ± 24.40 on the BIS, and 20.97 ± 4.39 on the FGSIS. As the women’s age increased, their mean FGSIS score also increased. There was negative correlation between women’s mean RSES and FGSIS scores. A positive, significant correlation was found between the mean FGSIS and BES scores of the women. Of the variables included in the multiple linear regression model, age, self-esteem, and body image were statistically significant predictors 19.5% of the FGSIS score (p < 0.005).

Conclusions

Mode of delivery was not a predictor of female genital self-image in the early postpartum period. Women with high self-esteem had a positive body image and genital self-image. Age, self-esteem, and body image were influential on female genital self-image. On the other hand, age, self-esteem, and body image predicted about 19.5% of female genital self-image according to multiple linear regression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Science, Midwifery Department, Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Turkey

    Hatice Acar Bektaş & Dilek Öcalan

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  1. Hatice Acar Bektaş
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A.B. Hatice: protocol, project development, data management, data analysis, manuscript writing; Ö. Dilek: project development, data management, editing.

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Correspondence to Hatice Acar Bektaş.

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Acar Bektaş, H., Öcalan, D. The relationship between women's mode of delivery, body image, self-respect, and genital self-image. Int Urogynecol J 34, 2885–2892 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-023-05610-5

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