Improving body image and sexual life among postpartum women: a single-blind-randomized controlled trial to evaluate a social network-based cognitive-behavioral intervention

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a social network-based cognitive-behavioral intervention on postpartum body image and sexual life of primiparous women. METHODS: In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 82 postpartum women were allocated into two intervention and control groups (allocation ratio, 1:1) using permuted block randomization. Primary outcome was change in body image scores between the groups over time. Secondary outcomes were genital self-image, sexual quality of life, and sexual satisfaction. The intervention group participated in eight (2 weeks) 60-minute sessions through WhatsApp (WhatsApp Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA). Data were collected at recruitment, post-intervention, and 1-month of follow-up. RESULTS: Cognitive-behavioral intervention had a medium effect on improving body image in postpartum women (partial eta squared, 0.33; P<0.001). The results showed significant differences between the two groups regarding sexual quality of life and sexual satisfaction at 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used to develop psychological interventions targeting body image in postpartum women.