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Improving Relational Functioning in Mother-Daughter Dyads With Obesity
Becky Marquez1, Florencia Lebensohn-Chialvo, Xinyi Huang
1Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science (Drs Marquez and Zhang and Ms Huang) and Department of Family Medicine (Dr Allison), University of California San Diego, La Jolla; and Department of Counseling & Marital and Family Therapy Program, University of San Diego, San Diego, California (Dr Lebensohn-Chialvo).
Improving family relationships in mothers and daughters with obesity can enhance weight loss. A relationship skills training program led to better weight management and improved family functioning.
Area of Science:
- Obesity Research
- Family Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Intergenerational obesity is a concern in Mexican American women.
- Poor family functioning is linked to diminished weight loss success.
- Family-level interventions may address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a weight management program focused on improving relational functioning.
- To assess the impact of relationship skills training (SRT) on mother-daughter dyads with obesity.
Main Methods:
- Randomly assigned Mexican American mother-daughter dyads to a 16-week standard behavioral (SB) weight loss program with or without SRT.
- Assessed relational functioning using observational behavioral coding (Global Structural Family Rating Scale).
Main Results:
- The SRT group showed significantly greater improvements in general relational functioning, positive alliance patterns, and conflict avoidance compared to the SB group.
- Average weight loss was -5.6% in the SRT group versus -3.9% in the SB group.
- 75% of participants in the SRT group achieved at least 3% weight loss, compared to 40% in the SB group.
Conclusions:
- Improving relational functioning in mother-daughter dyads can enhance outcomes in behavioral weight loss interventions.
- Relationship skills training may be a valuable addition to standard weight loss programs for this population.
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