Narcissistic Personality Traits and Social Appearance Anxiety in Pregnant Women: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between narcissistic personality traits and social appearance anxiety in pregnant women and to identify associated sociodemographic and pregnancy-related factors. Design and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of 370 pregnant women who attended the obstetrics outpatient clinics of Aydin Maternity and Children's Hospital between November 2022 and February 2023. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including a sociodemographic form, the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI). Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, Spearman correlations, and linear regression analyses were used for data analysis. Findings: Women with four or more pregnancies had significantly higher SAAS scores compared to those with fewer pregnancies. Participants who shared photos during pregnancy had higher NPI scores than those who did not. Women who perceived themselves as "neither beautiful nor ugly" reported higher social appearance anxiety compared to those who saw themselves as beautiful. Additionally, women who had maternity photoshoots had significantly lower SAAS scores. Practice Implications: These findings suggest the relevance of integrating mental health screening, including personality traits and appearance-related concerns, into antenatal care. Healthcare professionals should consider sociodemographic and psychosocial factors when planning prenatal interventions.