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Localized Coping Responses as Mediators in the Relationship between Weight Stigma and Depression

Koball, Afton M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1255027518

Abstract Details

2009, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Clinical.
Currently an estimated 66% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese (Ogden, Carroll, McDowell, & Flegal, 2007). Despite the prevalence of obesity, overweight and obese individuals experience prejudice and discrimination as a result of their weight (i.e. weight stigma). This often leads to negative consequences such as depression (Puhl & Heuer, 1999; Myers & Rosen; Friedman, et al., 2005). The present study examined whether coping with stigmatizing experiences mediated the relationship between perceived weight stigma and depression. In addition, the study examined whether gender and optimism moderated the relationship between coping and depression. Fifty-five overweight and obese (mean BMI= 37.2) weight loss treatment seeking participants (87.3% Caucasian, 79.6% female) were included. Results showed that both adaptive and maladaptive coping significantly mediated the relationship between weight stigma and depression. Surprisingly, greater adaptive coping was positively related to depression. Neither gender nor optimism moderated the coping and depression relationship. Results from this study highlight the importance of identifying psychological factors that can mitigate the negative consequences of experiencing bias and discrimination because of one’s weight. Obese individuals are at considerable risk for psychological complications secondary to weight-based mistreatment by others.
Robert Carels, Ph.D. (Advisor)
William O'Brien, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Dara Musher-Eisenman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
76 p.
Psychology
Weight Stigma; Depression; Coping

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Koball, A. M. (2009). Localized Coping Responses as Mediators in the Relationship between Weight Stigma and Depression [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1255027518

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Koball, Afton. Localized Coping Responses as Mediators in the Relationship between Weight Stigma and Depression. 2009. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1255027518.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Koball, Afton. "Localized Coping Responses as Mediators in the Relationship between Weight Stigma and Depression." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1255027518

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.