Journal article
Refining the conceptualization and assessment of internalized weight stigma: A mixed methods approach
Body image, v 44, pp 93-102
Mar 2023
PMID: 36549092
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Internalized weight stigma has gained increasing attention in empirical studies, though questions remain about the adequacy of existing measures. The current study utilized a mixed methods approach, including a novel semi-structured interview, to revisit the conceptualization of internalized weight stigma and explore in more depth the stereotypes and impacts of weight reported by individuals with high scores on the widely-used Weight Bias Internalization Scale. All participants were interviewed as part of the screening procedures for two clinical trials (Study 1 n = 84, mean age=47.8 years, 83.3% women, 67.9% Black, mean BMI=39.2 kg/m
; Study 2 n = 129, mean age=50.0 years, 88.4% women, 65.1% white, mean BMI=37.8 kg/m
). The most common weight stereotypes identified were being lazy, lacking willpower or self-control, and having poor eating habits. Up to 66% of participants reported that they did not endorse negative weight stereotypes or apply them to themselves. The most highly identified impacts of weight were on self-image (>70%) and emotions (68-83%), followed by social (37-62%) and health concerns (20-25%). Approximately 60% of participants indicated that weight affected their self-directed thoughts and feelings "very much" to "extremely." Findings have implications for understanding and assessing internalized weight stigma in research and in clinical settings where interventions are needed.
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Details
- Title
- Refining the conceptualization and assessment of internalized weight stigma: A mixed methods approach
- Creators
- Rebecca L PearlThomas A Wadden - University of PennsylvaniaLaurie C Groshon - Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100165, Gainesville, FL 32610-0165, USAHannah F Fitterman-Harris - University of LouisvilleCaroline Bach - University of PennsylvaniaErica M LaFata - University of Pennsylvania
- Publication Details
- Body image, v 44, pp 93-102
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Center for Weight, Eating and Lifestyle Science (WELL) [Historical]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000959906200001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85144271532
- Other Identifier
- 991020100082504721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Clinical
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary