Associations between social media addiction and health behaviours among pregnant women in the digital age.

BACKGROUND

Given the importance of health behaviours during pregnancy, examining the relationships between social media use and these behaviours in the digital age is becoming increasingly important.

AIM: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between pregnant women's social media addiction levels and health behaviours during pregnancy.

METHODS

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between 15 December 2024 and 15 June 2025 through an online survey. The study included 406 pregnant women who participated voluntarily and completed the questionnaire completely. Data were collected with Personal Information Form, Social Media Addiction Scale-Adult Form and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours in Pregnancy Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used in the analyses.

FINDINGS: The total score on the social media addiction scale showed significant negative correlations with healthy behaviours such as hygiene, nutrition, physical activity, and travel (p < 0.05). According to the regression analysis, educational level (p = 0.001) positively and significantly predicts the total HLBPS score. The total social media score (p = 0.003) and curettage status (p = 0.011) have a negative and significant effect on the total HLBPS score.

CONCLUSION

Social media addiction may negatively affect some healthy life behaviours during pregnancy. It is recommended that nurses should plan interventions that support digital health literacy by taking into account social media usage habits in counselling services for pregnant women.