Who copes well? Obesity‐related coping and its associations with shame, guilt, and weight loss

Matthias Conradt · Jan‐Michael Dierk · Pia Schlumberger · Elisabeth Rauh · Johannes Hebebrand · Winfried Rief

92 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Clinical Psychology

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Eating Disorders and Behaviors Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet Obesity and Health Practices

Abstract

The relationship among weight-related coping, guilt, and shame was investigated in a sample of 98 obese German individuals over a 6-month period. In terms of the objectives, the study explored the kind and frequency of typical coping situations in which obese individuals become aware of being obese. Furthermore, the study sought to determine the predictive utility of weight-related shame and guilt concerning coping responses, and to establish whether there is an association between coping responses and weight change. A longitudinal examination over a 6-month period was chosen with two measurement points. As typical distressing coping situations, individuals reported mostly negative evaluations through others/self, physical exercise situations, or environmental hazards (mainly shopping for clothes). Weight-related shame at baseline was a significant negative predictor for problem-focused engagement coping, whereas weight-related guilt was a significant positive predictor for problem-focused engagement strategies and dietary restraint at follow-up. Although Body Mass Index showed no substantial association with the coping measures, weight loss was accompanied by a substantial drop in problem-focused disengagement coping (wishful thinking, problem avoidance). Discussion of these findings focuses on the issue of possible effects of weight-related feelings of guilt and shame on coping behavior, the link between weight loss and disengaging coping strategies, and the possible use of the findings for cognitive-behavioral therapy for obesity.

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References

1977The CES-D Scale 1951Coefficient Alpha and the Internal Structure of Tests 1986The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) for assessment of restrained, emotional, and external eating behavior 1996The Objectified Body Consciousness Scale 1996Are shame, guilt, and embarrassment distinct emotions?1995Self-conscious emotions: The psychology of shame, guilt, embarrassment, and pride.1992Proneness to shame, proneness to guilt, and psychopathology.2002Predicting depressive symptoms with a new measure of shame: The Experience of Shame Scale

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