The diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus provokes a change in a pregnant woman’s lifestyle, which may affect her well-being and precipitate a sense of loss of self-control over her own body. The perception of “body image” is not only physical appearance and physical attractiveness but also the emotional attitude to the body and beliefs about it. The aim of the study was to analyze the factors affecting body esteem and analyze the relationship between body esteem and self-efficacy in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus. The study was conducted in the period from April 2019 to January 2021 among 287 women with gestational diabetes mellitus with the use of the following research tools: Body Esteem Scale (BES) and Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The explanatory variables for the sexual attractiveness variable were age (β = 0.252; p = 0.006) and education (β = 0.334; p = 0.007), for the weight concern variable were age (β = 0.161; p = 0.005), BMI (β = 0.334; p = 0.005), and education (β = 0.252; p = 0.033), for the physical condition variable, were age (β = 0.096; p = 0.004) and education (β = 0.213; p = 0.006). Positive correlations were found between self-efficacy and body esteem in the aspects of sexual attractiveness (p = 0.350), weight concern (p = 0.296), and physical condition (p = 0.286). Positive correlations were found between self-efficacy and body esteem in the aspects of sexual attractiveness (p = 0.350), weight concern (p = 0.296), and physical condition (p = 0.286). Older women who had better education and a lower BMI rated their bodies better. In women with gestational diabetes mellitus, high self-efficacy determines a better perception of their bodies in all areas: sexual attractiveness, weight concern, and physical condition.

Aim: The study aimed to analyse selected clinical data affecting the quality of life of women with endometriosis. Design: A cross‐sectional study. Method: The study was conducted in 2020–2022 among 425 women with endometriosis receiving health care. A diagnostic survey method with a questionnaire technique was used. The research tools are the Endometriosis Health Profile and a standardised interview questionnaire. Results: Infertility, medical treatment and sexual intercourse were the dimensions of quality of life most poorly rated by respondents with endometriosis. Lower quality of life was linked to the presence of painful periods, the presence of pain during intercourse and having surgery for endometriosis. Conclusion: The main clinical variables influencing the quality of life of women with endometriosis include problems with getting pregnant, the necessity for long‐term therapy and sexual problems caused by the condition. The occurrence of painful menstruation, dyspareunia and having undergone surgery for endometriosis is associated with lower ratings of women's general quality of life. Implications for the Profession: The study will help to develop a more holistic approach to caring for endometriosis patients. This will result in a better diagnosis, individualised therapy and psychological support, all of which will enhance the overall quality of life. The study's results may impact the development of health policies, endometriosis support services for women and public awareness initiatives. Impact: The study highlighted key determinants affecting health‐related quality of life for women with endometriosis. The analysis of clinical data revealed that infertility, treatment and dyspareunia are the dimensions of quality of life most poorly rated by women with endometriosis. These findings are significant for those providing care to women with endometriosis, as well as for policymakers responsible for the organisation of health care systems. Reporting Method: The STROBE guidelines. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.

The ability to accumulate metals in organs and tissues leads to disturbances in the physiological functioning of the body, causing oxidative stress. This negatively affects the functioning of the placenta and may result in miscarriages, premature birth and fetal growth disorders. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the levels of selected heavy metals in umbilical cord blood and anthropometric parameters of mothers and the newborns. Content of elements in umbilical cord blood has been assessed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The study results were collected and statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software (PS IMAGO). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test for associations between selected variables. Regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of anthropometric parameters of studied women and newborns. The study group consisted of women aged 19–41, whose pregnancy was uncomplicated and were not exposed to heavy metals due to their work or smoking. The following metals were identified in all collected cord blood samples: lead (26.25 ± 9.32 µg/L), zinc (2025.24 ± 717.83 µg/L), copper (749.85 ± 203.86 µg/L), manganese (32.55 ± 13.58 µg/L), chromium (8.34 ± 2.16 µg/L) and selenium (158.46 ± 41.58 µg/L). The conducted statistical analysis indicated the relationship between the copper content in the umbilical cord blood and the weight gain of pregnant women. A significant relationship was observed between newborn head circumference and chromium content. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between the content of zinc and copper, manganese and lead, manganese and selenium, lead and selenium, and lead and chromium in umbilical cord blood. The ratio of zinc to copper concentrations was related to neonatal head circumference. Weight gain in pregnant women is positively correlated with the copper level in umbilical cord blood. There is an association between head circumference at birth and the chromium concentration in umbilical cord blood. Copper and zinc levels in umbilical cord blood are positively correlated with head circumference at birth.

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen-dependent inflammatory condition, that not only leads to significant physical symptoms but also exerts a profound psychological and social burden. This study aimed to asjsess the relationship between quality of life (QoL) in women with endometriosis and selected socio-demographic, diagnostic-therapeutic, and psychological factors, emphasizing self-efficacy and dispositional optimism as potential protective resources. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2020 and 2022 in healthcare facilities in eastern Poland. The study included 425 women diagnosed with endometriosis. The research tools were the Endometriosis Health Profile, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Life Orientation Test-Revised, as well as an original socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and hierarchical regression to assess the predictive role of psychological resources beyond sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results: A higher number of physicians from various specialties consulted before diagnosis was significantly associated with lower QoL in all EHP-30 domains except infertility (p < 0.05). The perceived economic burden of treatment was significantly related to lower QoL across all domains (p < 0.05). In contrast, higher levels of self-efficacy and dispositional optimism emerged as independent protective factors, positively associated with emotional well-being, social support, sexual functioning, and relationships with medical staff (p < 0.05). Psychological variables accounted for an additional 8.1% of the variance in QoL beyond socio-demographic and clinical predictors. Conclusions: The findings support the relevance of a biopsychosocial framework in managing endometriosis. Psychological resources play a critical role in coping with the disease and should be integrated into personalized care strategies.

During pregnancy, women often experience shifts in their body image perspective. Active engagement in positive health behaviors is crucial for achieving optimal pregnancy outcomes and promoting healthy fetal development. In this context, self-efficacy may influence how body image perception translates into such behaviors.This study aimed to determine whether self-efficacy among pregnant women moderates the relationship between body image and their health behaviors. The study was conducted from December 2023 to July 2024, involving 921 pregnant women in Poland. A diagnostic survey method using a questionnaire technique was applied. The research instruments included the generalized self-efficacy scale, body esteem scale, positive health behavior scale, and a standardized interview questionnaire. Pregnant women with a more positive attitude toward their bodies demonstrated a greater tendency to engage in positive health behaviors during pregnancy (p < 0.001). For sexual attractiveness, a positive association with positive health behaviors was maintained across all levels of self-efficacy (p < 0.001). A significant positive association with positive health behaviors was found for weight concerns (p < 0.001) and physical condition (p = 0.013), but only at moderate and high levels of self-efficacy. The impact of body image on positive health behaviors is more pronounced in women with higher levels of self-efficacy, although this relationship varies across different aspects of body image.

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the level of such psychosocial resilience resources as self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, and health locus of control in pregnant women with obesity with threatened premature labor. Methods: The study was performed in the years 2017–2020 in a group of 328 pregnant women hospitalized due to threatened preterm labor and diagnosed with obesity before the pregnancy. The following instruments were applied: the Life Orientation Test, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Results: Obese pregnant women with threatened premature labor have a moderate level of generalized self-efficacy (28.02) and a moderate level of dispositional optimism (16.20). Out of the three health locus of control dimensions, the highest scores were recorded in the “internal control” subscale (26.08). Statistically significant predictors for the self-efficacy variable model included: satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.156; p = 0.004), being nulliparous (ß = –0.191; p = 0.002), and the absence of comorbidities (ß = –0.145; p = 0.008). Higher levels of dispositional optimism were found in women who were married (ß = 0.381; p = 0.000), reported a satisfactory socio-economic standing (ß = 0.137; p = 0.005), were between 23 and 27 weeks pregnant (ß = –0.231; p = 0.000), and had no comorbidities (ß = –0.129; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Generalized self-efficacy in obese women with threatened preterm labor is associated with satisfactory socio-economic standing, being nulliparous, and the absence of chronic disease. Dispositional optimism in obese pregnant women with threatened preterm labor is determined by their marital status, socio-economic standing, gestational age, and the absence of comorbidities.