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Overvaluation of Weight and Shape Among Weight Loss Surgery Candidates
Title
Overvaluation of Weight and Shape Among Weight Loss Surgery Candidates
Creator
Hecht, Leah Marie
Date
2019
Description
Overvaluation of shape and weight is a measure of the degree to which an individual’s self-evaluation is influenced by their shape and weight....
Show moreOvervaluation of shape and weight is a measure of the degree to which an individual’s self-evaluation is influenced by their shape and weight. Among individuals with eating disorders, this construct has been associated with elevated levels of eating pathology and psychological distress. Similarly, weight loss surgery candidates often report high levels of eating pathology, including loss of control eating, in addition to elevated levels of depression. Although studies have found poorer outcomes among those who endorse overvaluation of shape and weight in addition to loss of control eating as compared to those who deny overvaluation of shape and weight, the degree to which overvaluation of shape and weight is associated with disordered eating pathology, depression, psychosocial functioning, and self-esteem among weight loss surgery candidates has not been examined. The goals of the current study were to further elucidate these associations, including the degree to which frequency of loss of control eating episodes mediates associations. Data were analyzed from 88 individuals seeking bariatric surgery. Overvaluation of shape and weight was highly prevalent, with approximately 49% of the sample endorsing their weight and/or shape had a significant impact on their self-evaluation. The results of correlational analyses supported a link between overvaluation of shape and weight and higher levels of eating pathology, including more frequent loss of control eating episodes and disordered eating attitudes, in addition to poorer psychosocial functioning as indicated by greater psychosocial impairment, depression, and lower self-esteem. While frequency of loss of control eating episodes partially mediated associations between overvaluation of shape and weight and global eating pathology, it was not a significant mediator of the associations between overvaluation of shape and weight and shape/weight concerns, weight-related psychosocial functioning, self-esteem, or depression. These findings underscore the importance of assessing pre-surgical levels of overvaluation of shape and weight among individuals seeking bariatric surgery and suggest the importance of evaluating these attitudes and behaviors following surgery.
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The Impact of Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Stigma on STI Testing Intention among College Students
Title
The Impact of Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Stigma on STI Testing Intention among College Students
Creator
Thomas, Julia
Date
2019
Description
Young people (ages 15-24) account for over half of the new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) each year in the United States (CDC...
Show moreYoung people (ages 15-24) account for over half of the new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) each year in the United States (CDC, 2016). The current study examined how knowledge, self-efficacy, and stigma are associated with STI testing intention among sexually active college students using path model analysis. Data were collected via an online survey (N = 76, 54% female). STI testing intention was measured using a 5-point Likert scale for eight STIs referenced in the Brief Sexual History Tool (CDC, 2018). These items comprised an intention scale with high internal consistency for this sample (α = .97). Path analysis was conducted using SPSS AMOS and MacKinnon’s ab product approach in RMediation was used to test mediating effects. The predicted path model fit the data well and the relationships between self-efficacy and knowledge, label avoidance, and intention were significant. Mediation analysis revealed significant indirect paths for knowledge and label avoidance on STI testing intention through self-efficacy. These findings indicate that self-efficacy directly impacts college students’ STI testing intention, while knowledge and label avoidance indirectly impact intention through self-efficacy. Findings suggest that providers and college health clinics may be able to increase the frequency of STI testing behavior by promoting strategies to increase students’ self-efficacy.
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