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Weight Based Stigma: The Impact of Perceived Controllability of Weight on Social Support

Tabak, Melanie Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1222807014

Abstract Details

2008, PHD, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
Although current society values equality, weight-related prejudice is prevalent and still seen as acceptable (Puhl and Brownell, 2006). One resource that could help negate the deleterious effects of stigma may be social support, a resource that suggests one is cared about and valued (Rodriguez and Cohen, 1998). Social support may benefit in two ways- it can buffer or moderate the relationship between stigma and health, and it may mediate the relationship between stigma and health. Both roles of social support will be examined in this dissertation. To my knowledge, only one study has examined the possibility that social support may act as a buffer in the weight-based stigma health relationship. Xie and colleagues (2005) found in their sample of Chinese youth that social support moderated the relationship between weight-based stigma and depressive symptoms. As for social support’s role as a mediator, although research suggests social support can function as a mediator (Kaniasty and Norris, 1993), this is the first study to examine this issue within the context of weight-based stigma and health, and analyses will be somewhat exploratory. While both functions of support may be beneficial, it is often reported that overweight and obese individuals do not receive adequate social support (Ali and Lindstrom, 2005). A large reason for these support deficits may be friends’/families’ perceptions of the controllability of weight. Research has shown thatindividuals that believe a person is responsible for their stigmatizing condition show less sympathy and less support may be provided (Seacat, Hirschman and Mickelson, 2007). To my knowledge, this dissertation is the first to examine this theory with friends and families perceptions of weight controllability. Integrating several literatures, I made several hypotheses. First, I hypothesized that perceived stigma would have a deleterious effect on mental and physical health. Second, I hypothesized that social support would buffer the relationship between stigma and mental/physical health. Finally, I hypothesized that perceived controllability of weight would impact perceived social support. 165 women enrolled in undergrad psychology courses completed the questionnaires. Results indicated that perceived stigma did not predict eating behaviors, exercise behaviors or depressive symptomatology. However, upon further investigation, I found that self-esteem (which was used as a control variable) may have been mediating the relationship between stigma and mental health. Results also indicated that emotional support from friends (but no other support) acted as a buffer in the relationship between stigma and depressive symptomatology (but no other outcomes). In regards to mediation, results indicated a marginal meditating effect of instrumental support from friends (but not family) in the relationship between perceived stigma and exercise (but not eating behaviors). Finally, contrary to hypotheses, family’s perceived controllability of weight was positively related to emotional and instrumental support from family, and friend’s perceived controllability of weight was positively related to instrumental support from friends. Results highlight family and friends’ role in the stigmatized individual’s life, and indicate that support from friends may be more salient for college-aged individuals than support from families. Further, results suggest that individuals perceive more support when they believe their family and friends perceive weight as controllable, suggesting that previous research regarding strangers may not extend to family/friends. Future research should examine the impact of controllability of weight from the perspective of the support providers.
Kristin Mickelson, PhD (Committee Chair)
Janis Crowther, PhD (Committee Member)
John Updegraff, PhD (Committee Member)
Andre Christie-Mizell, PhD (Committee Member)
103 p.
Social Psychology
social support; stigma; controllability

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tabak, M. A. (2008). Weight Based Stigma: The Impact of Perceived Controllability of Weight on Social Support [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1222807014

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tabak, Melanie. Weight Based Stigma: The Impact of Perceived Controllability of Weight on Social Support. 2008. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1222807014.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tabak, Melanie. "Weight Based Stigma: The Impact of Perceived Controllability of Weight on Social Support." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1222807014

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1222807014
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.