Relationship between social comparison and body image in pregnant women using Instagram

Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between social comparisons and body image among pregnant women who use Instagram. Method: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted in the obstetrics clinic of a medical faculty hospital between May and June 2024. A total of 238 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were collected using a Participant Information Form, the Body Image in Pregnancy Scale (BIPS), and the Social Comparison on Instagram Scale (SCIS). Results: Pregnant women reported a moderate level of negative body image perception (91.37±14.01). The downward social comparison score of pregnant women (i.e., comparison with others who are in a worse situation) (7.99±4.29) was higher than the upward social comparison score (i.e., comparison with others who are in a better situation) (5.38±2.85). The subdimensions of the BIPS were associated with social comparison scores (p0.05). However, social comparison scores differed significantly by pregnancy status (p=0.013), weight gain during pregnancy (p=0.004), income level (p=0.023), and frequency of liking or commenting on Instagram posts (p