Abstract

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological functioning of a sample of overweight pregnant women. We aimed to highlight the link between mental and physical health during the third trimester of gestation, and to recognize the risk factors for the onset of post-partum diseases. The measures have been used were: "Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale" and "Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale" for the assessment of the emotional functioning, "Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support" for the evaluation of the social support environment, Symptom Checklist-90-R for a wide-range psychopathological screening, and the "Adult Attachment Interview" to assess the maternal state of mind and the emotion regulation strategies with respect to the past attachment experiences. Results have shown the overweight condition during pregnancy is associated to greater difficulties in emotion regulation, as well as to insecure attachment models.