scholarly journals The Interaction Between BMI, Weight Criticism, Weight Bias and Psychological and Relational Outcomes Within Marriage

Author(s):  
Robert Carels ◽  
J. Caroline Miller ◽  
Reid Hlavka ◽  
Abigail MT Shonrock

Abstract Purpose: To examine 1) whether a wife’s BMI interacts with either her husband’s weight stigma or 2) her perceived weight criticisms from her husband predict husbands’ and wives’ psychological and relational outcomes. Methods: The study sample consisted of 209 currently married men and women in a heterosexual relationship. Participants were drawn from an online survey platform (Qualtrics, Inc. Provo, UT) designed to approximate the US population on age, race, and region of the country. Online measures assessed husbands’ weight stigma, wives’ perceived weight criticisms from husband, and husbands’ and wives’: 1) relationship satisfaction, 2) sexual intimacy, 3) self-esteem, 4) depressive symptoms, and 5) perceptions of a desirable or ideal mate. Results: Wives’ BMI interacted with husbands’ weight stigma to predict 1) mate value for husbands and wives and 2) marital satisfaction for husbands. The same pattern was noted with interaction of wives’ BMI and perceptions of husbands’ weight related criticisms. The interaction reflected that higher wife BMI and higher husband weight stigma or wife perceived weight-related criticism predicted lower marital satisfaction, greater depression, and lower perceptions of a desirable or an ideal mate. Lower BMI was not associated with outcomes regardless of the husbands’ weight stigma or wives’ perceived weight-related criticisms. Conclusion: To understand the impact of weight stigma and weight related criticisms on perceptions of a desirable or ideal mate and marital outcomes, it is important to examine the interaction with partner’s BMI.Level of Evidence: III: Evidence obtained from cohort or case–control analytic studies.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 138-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Katherine Zaleta ◽  
Shauna McManus ◽  
Thomas William LeBlanc ◽  
Joanne S Buzaglo

138 Background: Unintentional weight loss (WL) can be a disruptive symptom of cancer, yet its psychosocial impact is not well understood. We examined cancer survivors’ experiences with unintentional WL. Methods: 320 cancer survivors completed an online survey, provided demographic, health, and unintentional WL history, and rated (0 = not at all; 4 = extremely) 19 statements about WL outcomes. We examined bivariate associations between weight status, unintentional WL, and WL outcomes. Results: Participants were 90% White; mean age = 58.8 years, SD= 11; 41% breast cancer, 23% blood cancer, 8% prostate cancer, mean time since diagnosis = 6.0 years, SD= 5; 18% metastatic, 22% current recurrence/relapse, 51% remission. 55 participants (17%) reported unintentional WL in the past 6 months (mean = 16lbs; range = 2-70; mean BMI = 27.6, SD= 6.3). These participants were less likely to be in disease remission ( p< .05). Participants with unintentional WL tended to underestimate their weight category (e.g., of BMI-classified healthy weight participants, 26% believed they were underweight); κ = -.17, p< .01. 51% of participants felt (somewhat to extremely) positive about WL, 49% said their health care team was supportive of WL; these statements were more strongly endorsed by people describing themselves as overweight ( ps < .05). 27% believed WL caused physical weakness, 23% said WL resulted in lost control over nutrition/eating, 16% said WL made them feel like a burden, 14% said WL caused them to lose their identity; these statements were more strongly endorsed by people describing themselves as underweight ( ps < .01). 20% viewed their WL as a sign of approaching end of life, 13% believed WL meant they would not be able to continue treatment; these views did not differ by perceived weight status. Conclusions: Many cancer survivors experience unintentional weight loss and associate their weight loss with negative outcomes. Survivors also often underestimate their weight status, which is notable given that personal views of one’s weight status, not BMI-derived weight status, is associated with beliefs about the impact of unintentional weight loss. Our findings suggest that people believe unintentional WL meaningfully affects their quality of life.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Carels ◽  
Abigail MT Shonrock ◽  
J Caroline Miller ◽  
J. Rhonda Byrd ◽  
Marissa Carraway ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: The current study aims to examine weight stigma and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals and heterosexual men and women. Methods: The sample consisted of heterosexual and LGB men and women. Participants were drawn from introductory psychology classes and a variety of supplemental recruitment methods (Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, MTURK, etc.). Results: Individuals identifying as male and individuals identifying as heterosexual had significantly greater weight bias than individuals identifying as female and individuals identifying as LGB. Additional gender identity and sexual orientation mean group differences among sociocultural attitudes were observed. While there were modest associations between weight bias and overall sociocultural attitudes, gender identity and sexual orientation had little impact on the strength of these associations. Conclusion: This investigation contributes to knowledge of the impact of gender identity and sexual orientation on weight stigma and sociocultural attitudes toward appearance.Level of EvidenceIII: Evidence obtained from cohort or case–control analytic studies.


1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Katz ◽  
Ileana Arias ◽  
Steven R. H. Beach ◽  
Gene Brody ◽  
Paul Roman

For both theoretical and practical reasons, it is important to understand processes that lead to marital dissatisfaction and dissolution among women who are targets of relationship violence. Because attributional tendencies may often forecast marital behavior and because alcohol use is often seen as providing an excuse for deviant behavior, we examine two potential moderators of the associations between husband violence and wife marital outcomes: wife attributional style and husband problem drinking tendencies. A community sample of married couples (N = 66) completed a comprehensive battery of marital assessments. Results suggested that responsibility attributions moderated the association between husband violence and wives’ marital dissatisfaction but exerted a direct effect on wives’ disposition toward divorce. Husband problem drinking moderated the impact of husband violence only on wives’ disposition toward divorce. As would be expected from an “excuse” model of the associations between violence and marital outcomes, violence had less of an impact on marital satisfaction and divorce ideation when wives attributed responsibility for negative spouse behavior as external to their husbands and when husbands were problem drinkers, respectively.


Author(s):  
Chao-Ying Chen ◽  
I-Hua Chen ◽  
Kerry O’Brien ◽  
Janet D Latner ◽  
Chung-Ying Lin

Abstract Objective: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and its resulting social policy changes, may result in psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight. This study thus aimed to (1) compare psychological distress (including fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, and depression), perceived weight stigma, and problematic internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight; (2) assess whether perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors explained psychological distress.Methods: Schoolchildren (n=1 357; mean age=10.7 years) with overweight (n=236) and without overweight (n=1 121) completed an online survey assessing their fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, depression, perceived weight stigma, problematic smartphone application use, problematic social media use, and problematic gaming.Results: Schoolchildren with overweight had significantly higher levels of COVID-19 infection fear, stress, depression, perceived weight stigma, and problematic social media use than those without overweight. Regression models showed that perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors were significant predictors of psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight.Conclusion: Strategies to manage perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors may have a positive influence on mental health among schoolchildren with overweight under health-threatening circumstances, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rawda Tomoum ◽  
Amy Hayes

Women’s share of household labor (HL) responsibility remains much larger than their male spouses even among dual-earner households. Research has shown how gendered division of HL negatively impacts marital satisfaction. This study measures and compares the division of HL and childcare (CC) among heterosexual married couples and its impact on psychological distress cross-culturally. 284 heterosexual married adults from the Middle East and North America completed an online survey in English or Arabic. Participants completed clinical scales that assess their stress, depression, and anxiety levels. Next, they rated their share of HL responsibility. Data was compared across region and gender, and the analysis examined the impact of gendered division of HL on psychological distress. Results have shown that women in the Middle East had a higher average score for HL and CC than women in North America. Men in North America contributed more in HL and CC than men in the Middle East. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that HL and CC impacts psychological distress. Women complete significantly more HL than men across regions. Among married parents, gendered division of HL is much more prevalent in the Middle East than in North America. Working mothers in the Middle East have the highest correlation between HL and depression. This study highlights the prevalence of gendered division of HL, especially in the Middle East, and it aims to promote a more equitable division of HL for better psychological wellbeing and marital satisfaction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 869-897
Author(s):  
Atiqa Rafeh ◽  
Rubina Hanif

The present study was intended to develop a scale to measure perceived weight stigmatization among people with obesity. The study was conducted in five steps. In first step, three focus group discussions were conducted with female obese university students to get the first-hand information related to weight stigmatization. Step two involved four interviews which were conducted with male obese university students to collect detailed information about weight stigmatization experiences of men. Step three included content analysis of qualitative data for item generation. In step four, judge’s opinion was taken, and a committee approach was carried out to select the items for the initial form of the scale. Items for final form of the scale were selected through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis in step five. For exploratory factor analysis, 150 university students (men = 61, women = 89) were included in the sample, whereas, for confirmatory factor analysis, another group of students (men = 78, women = 72) participated in the study. Principal Component Factor Analysis revealed three meaningful structures including Self-Perception, Perceived Social Rejection, and Perceived Impact containing 43 items. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this factor structure and all 43 items possessed factor loadings greater than .40. Moreover, results indicated that perceived weight stigmatization had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .96) with three subscales having internal consistency .95, .83, and .92 respectively. Therefore, Perceived Weight Stigmatization Scale turned out to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring perception of weight stigma in adults with obesity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-193
Author(s):  
Kacem Abdelhadi ◽  
Houar Abdelatif ◽  
Zerf Mohamed ◽  
Bengoua Ali

SummaryThis study tests the impact of COVID-19 on sleep of Algerian population before and during the COVID-19 quarantine by an estimated online survey, adapted from the PSQI Italian version. Including 1210 participants (age between 18-60 years old). The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 22.0 software. Our results showed a significant change in sleeping quality during quarantine, the sleep timing markedly changed, we also noticed additional use of sleeping medications. Algerian scientists recommend to build public awareness and to provide necessary information regarding Algerian sleep quality, especially for Algerian adults.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged &lt;18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL


2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110198
Author(s):  
Catriona R Mayland ◽  
Rosemary Hughes ◽  
Steven Lane ◽  
Tamsin McGlinchey ◽  
Warren Donnellan ◽  
...  

Background: COVID-19 public health restrictions have affected end-of-life care experiences for dying patients and their families. Aim: To explore bereaved relatives’ experiences of quality of care and family support provided during the last days of life; to identify the impact of factors associated with perceived support. Design: A national, observational, open online survey was developed and disseminated via social media, public fora and professional networks (June–September 2020). Validated instruments and purposively designed questions assessed experiences. Analysis used descriptive statistics, logistic regression and thematic analysis of free-text responses. Participants: Individuals (⩾18 years) who had experienced the death of a relative/friend (all care settings) within the United Kingdome during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Respondents ( n = 278, mean 53.4 years) tended to be female ( n = 216, 78%); over half were ‘son/daughter’ (174, 62.6%) to the deceased. Deceased individuals (mean 81.6 years) most frequently died in their ‘usual place of care’ ( n = 192, 69.3%). Analysis established five conceptual themes affecting individualised care: (1) public health restrictions compounding the distress of ‘not knowing’; (2) disparate views about support from doctors and nurses; (3) challenges in communication and level of preparedness for the death; (4) delivery of compassionate care; (5) emotional needs and potential impact on grief. Male respondents (OR 2.9, p = 0.03) and those able to visit (OR 2.2, p = 0.04) were independently associated with good perceptions of family support. Conclusion: Despite public health restrictions, individualised care can be enabled by proactive, informative communication; recognising dying in a timely manner and facilitating the ability to be present before death.


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