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Predicting Weight Loss and Improvement in Quality of Life in Behavioral Weight Management: The Influence of Perceived Stigma, Psychological Functioning, Coping Style, and Adherence.

Truong, Erin Ashley Kellogg
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1179-7169
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469129790

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Introduction: Obesity is a common, chronic medical condition associated with increased morbidity and mortality as well as decrements in psychosocial functioning. Behavioral and psychosocial variables associated with obesity and impaired quality of life are an important focus of investigation as predictors and/or mediators of weight loss treatment outcomes. This exploratory study was designed to examine the degree to which behavioral and psychological changes during behavioral weight loss treatment mediate the relationship of baseline perceptions of stigmatization with weight loss and improvement in quality of life over the course of treatment. Additionally, this study examined the moderating effect of bariatric status on these relationships. Methods: One hundred four adults with overweight and obesity participating in a comprehensive behavioral weight management program participated in the study, completing self-report questionnaires at the beginning and end of their weight management program and allowing study personnel access to their medical records. Questionnaires assessed quality of life, perceived stigma, psychological distress, and coping styles. Objective measures included program attendance, dietary and physical activity log completion, demographic information, and anthropometric data. Regression, mediation, and moderated mediation models were used to examine the hypothesized relationships among variables. Results: Changes in depressive and anxious symptomatology mediated the relationship of perceived stigma at baseline with mental quality of life at program completion after controlling for mental quality of life at baseline. Higher perceived stigma was associated with poorer mental quality of life at program completion via the influence of perceived stigma increasing depressive and anxious symptoms. Increased symptoms of depression and anxiety, in turn, were associated with poorer mental quality of life. Similarly, changes in depressive symptomatology mediated the relationship of perceived stigma at baseline with physical quality of life at program completion after controlling for physical quality of life at baseline. Again, higher perceived stigma was associated with poorer physical quality of life at program completion via the influence of perceived stigma increasing depressive symptoms. In turn, increased depressive symptoms was associated with poorer physical quality of life. No other hypothesized mediation models were supported by the data, and bariatric status did not moderate the relationship of perceived stigma with change in any potential mediators. Conclusions: Results suggest that greater attention to the expression of distress among weight management participants reporting prior stigmatizing experiences may help identify individuals at risk for poorer mental and physical quality of life at the conclusion of behavioral weight loss treatment. The data also may suggest a need for research examining the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing perceived stigma among individuals entering behavioral weight management.
Charles Emery, PhD (Advisor)
Ruchika Prakash, PhD (Committee Member)
Michael Vasey, PhD (Committee Member)
152 p.
Psychology
obesity; quality of life; weight loss; stigma; coping; adherence; psychological functioning

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Truong, E. A. K. (2016). Predicting Weight Loss and Improvement in Quality of Life in Behavioral Weight Management: The Influence of Perceived Stigma, Psychological Functioning, Coping Style, and Adherence. [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469129790

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Truong, Erin. Predicting Weight Loss and Improvement in Quality of Life in Behavioral Weight Management: The Influence of Perceived Stigma, Psychological Functioning, Coping Style, and Adherence. . 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469129790.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Truong, Erin. "Predicting Weight Loss and Improvement in Quality of Life in Behavioral Weight Management: The Influence of Perceived Stigma, Psychological Functioning, Coping Style, and Adherence. ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1469129790

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1469129790
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.