Internalized weight-bias: psychological correlates and the role of social support among individuals seeking bariatric surgery

Scurrey, Samantha (2022) Internalized weight-bias: psychological correlates and the role of social support among individuals seeking bariatric surgery. Doctoral (PhD) thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (1MB)

Abstract

An important factor to consider when examining the increased rates of mental illness among individuals seeking bariatric surgery is internalized weight bias. Internalized weight bias has been observed to be positively associated with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, binge eating, shame and emotional dysregulation, and negatively associated with self-esteem and quality of life. Insufficient attention has been paid towards adverse childhood experiences and socially desirable responding in the extant literature. The aims of the current study were to: 1) examine the associations between internalized weight bias, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, binge eating, self-esteem, adverse childhood experiences, quality of life, and social support; 2) determine which constellation of psychosocial variables account for significant unique variance in internalized weight bias; and 3) investigate whether social support moderates significant associations observed between internalized weight bias, and mental health and quality of life variables examined within the first aim. A total of 119 patients approved to receive bariatric surgery were recruited from bariatric surgery clinics in Calgary, AB and St. John’s, NL. Patients completed questionnaires that measured internalized weight bias, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and binge eating, self-esteem, adverse childhood experiences, impact of weight on quality of life, health-related quality of life, socially desirable responding, and social support while awaiting surgery. Significant bivariate correlations were observed between internalized weight bias and symptoms of depression, anxiety and binge eating, self-esteem, impact of weight on quality of life, and social support, while statistically adjusting for BMI and socially desirable responding. Self-esteem, symptoms of binge eating, social support, and adverse childhood experiences accounted for significant unique variance in internalized weight bias in multiple regression models. Social support did not moderate associations between internalized weight bias and symptoms of depression, anxiety, binge eating, self-esteem, or impact of weight on quality of life. The current study further highlights the importance of internalized weight bias among bariatric surgery populations given its association with mental health and quality of life outcomes, and the need to develop and implement effective interventions.

Actions (login required)

View Item