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Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
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Development of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for internalized weight stigma.
Rebecca L Pearl1,2, Caroline Bach2,3, Thomas A Wadden2
1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy
|July 24, 2023
Summary
Internalized weight stigma negatively impacts mental and physical health. A new group psychological intervention aims to reduce this stigma and improve well-being in individuals with higher body weight.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Weight stigma is a significant social issue affecting individuals with higher body weight.
- Internalized weight stigma leads to self-devaluation and adverse mental and physical health outcomes.
- Effective strategies to prevent or reduce internalized weight stigma are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce a novel, group-based psychological intervention to decrease internalized weight stigma.
- Provide rationale for the intervention's therapeutic approach.
- Explore the intervention's utility in behavioral weight management.
Main Methods:
- Development of a group-based psychological intervention.
- Detailed description of the intervention content.
- Preliminary evaluation of psychological and behavioral outcomes.
Main Results:
- The intervention is designed to reduce internalized weight stigma.
- Preliminary data suggest potential positive effects on psychological and behavioral outcomes.
- The intervention is proposed for use in behavioral weight management settings.
Conclusions:
- A novel group psychological intervention shows promise for reducing internalized weight stigma.
- This intervention may mitigate adverse health effects associated with weight stigma.
- Further research is needed to confirm the intervention's efficacy and long-term impact.
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