Inconsistencies in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of internalized weight stigma: A potential way forward

Austen, Emma; Pearl, Raymond; Griffiths, Scott

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.12.002

Cited by 18 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…In identifying ways to move an examination of conceptual overlap forward, Meadows and Higgs ( 12 ) suggested replicating their results with alternative measures of internalized weight stigma. Additionally, Austen et al ( 13 ) noted a Delphi study with a panel of experts may provide an additional opportunity to add clarity to definitions and understandings of these constructs. We assert that, prior to replicating and extending the results of Meadows and Higgs ( 12 ), it may be useful to survey conceptual overlap within existing literature quantitatively.…”

Section: Body Dissatisfaction and Internalized Weight Stigma: An Exam...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, Meadows and Higgs ( 12 ) examined the conceptual overlap of internalized weight stigma, body dissatisfaction, and self-esteem, the results of which suggested these constructs may be separate conceptualizations of a single factor. Adding to the confusion, Austen et al ( 13 ) note the interchangeable use of terms to refer to internalized weight stigma, which can further blur boundaries between concepts if researchers are interchangeably using terms that were intended to hold distinct meaning.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Examining the Conceptual and Measurement Overlap of Body Dissatisfaction and Internalized Weight Stigma in Predominantly Female Samples: A Meta-Analysis and Measurement Refinement Study

Saunders¹,

Nutter²,

Russell‐Mayhew³

2022

Front. Glob. Womens Health

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Both body dissatisfaction and internalized weight stigma have been identified as risk factors for many negative health outcomes for women, including depression and eating disorders. In addition to these contributions, these concepts have been found to overlap to various degrees in existing literature. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on articles published prior to February 2022 to demonstrate the conceptual and measurement overlap between body dissatisfaction and internalized weight stigma as currently quantified. We identified 48 studies examining the interrelation between body dissatisfaction and internalized weight stigma in predominantly female samples. Stronger correlations between these two constructs, some bordering on multicollinearity, were prevalent in community samples compared to clinical samples and with some but not all the commonly used measures in the body image and weight stigma fields. Body mass index (BMI) moderated these relations such that individuals with higher self-reported BMI were more likely to report lower correlations between the constructs. This concept proliferation, stronger for individuals with lower BMIs and community samples, necessitates the need change how we conceptualize and measure body dissatisfaction and internalized weight stigma. To this end, we conducted study two to refine existing measures and lessen the degree of measurement overlap between internalized weight stigma and body dissatisfaction, particularly in community samples of women. We aimed to clarify the boundaries between these two concepts, ensuring measurement error is better accounted for. Female university students completed existing measures of body satisfaction and internalized weight stigma, which were analyzed using an exploratory followed by a confirmatory factor analysis. In our attempts to modify two existing measures of internalized weight stigma and body dissatisfaction, the majority of the internalized weight stigma items were retained. In contrast, most of the body dissatisfaction items either cross-loaded onto both factors or loaded on to the internalized weight stigma factor despite being intended for the body dissatisfaction factor, suggesting that the measurement issues identified in recent prior research may be due not only to the way we conceptualize and quantify weight stigma, but also the ways in which we quantify body dissatisfaction, across the existing corpus of body dissatisfaction scales.

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Section: Body Dissatisfaction and Internalized Weight Stigma: An Exam...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the Conceptual and Measurement Overlap of Body Dissatisfaction and Internalized Weight Stigma in Predominantly Female Samples: A Meta-Analysis and Measurement Refinement Study

Saunders¹,

Nutter²,

Russell‐Mayhew³

2022

Front. Glob. Womens Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Much weight bias research is atheoretical and many of the emerging theories are focused only on psychological or cognitive outcomes in the context of individuals of higher weight (Carels et al, 2013). Second, in response to recent calls for research with well-operationalized stigma-related constructs (Austen et al, 2020), the present study clearly operationalized external and internal weight bias to contribute to improved communication of findings and comparison to existing work. Third, the present study investigated obligatory exercise as the disordered eating behavior of interest.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similar to external weight bias, a variety of names for and operationalizations of internal weight bias have also been employed in the literature, including internalized weight bias, weight self-stigma, and stereotype self-concurrence (Austen et al, 2020; Corrigan et al, 2009). Internalized weight bias may be a consequence of several different kinds of external biases (Durso & Latner, 2008).…”

Section: The Present Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, inconsistencies in the way in which weight bias is operationalized and measured has made it difficult to elucidate its influence on negative outcomes (Austen et al, 2020). Weight bias can be external (i.e., holding prejudicial or stereotyped attitudes toward individuals due to their weight status; Puhl et al, 2008) or internal (i.e., applying stereotyped attitudes toward oneself; Rüsch et al, 2009).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Application of the sociocognitive model of internalized stigma to weight: The role of weight controllability beliefs on obligatory exercise engagement.

Cunning¹,

Peterson²,

Choquette³

et al. 2022

Stigma and Health

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The “healthy weight” discourse frames weight and shape as highly malleable through diet and exercise, which may contribute to weight control beliefs and weight bias. This study was guided by the sociocognitive model of internalized stigma and tested the association between external weight bias (generalized weight controllability beliefs) and obligatory exercise via internalized weight bias (weight controllability self-beliefs). Sex and body mass index (BMI) were examined as moderators of this model. A replication of a similar serial indirect effect model proposed and tested by Romano et al. (2021) also was conducted. A total of 974 college students (64% female; 49% non-Hispanic White; Mage = 20.7; MBMI = 24.5) completed measures of generalized weight controllability beliefs, weight controllability self-beliefs, and adaptive and obligatory exercise. Hypotheses were partially supported. Controlling for sex and exercise frequency, greater generalized weight controllability beliefs were associated with increased weight controllability self-beliefs, which were associated with greater engagement in obligatory exercise (indirect effect estimate ab = −.17, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [−.22, −.12]). Neither sex nor BMI emerged as moderators of this indirect effect. Replication analyses testing the serial indirect effect of generalized weight controllability beliefs on obligatory exercise via (a) internalized weight controllability self-beliefs and (b) weight concerns were significant (ab = −.03, 95% CI [−.04, −.02]). Findings suggest the importance of both internally and externally focused weight bias on obligatory exercise behaviors and support the utility of the sociocognitive model of internalized stigma to guide future weight bias research. Longitudinal research examining the directionality of these relationships is warranted.

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Internalised Weight Stigma Mediates Relationships Between Perceived Weight Stigma and Psychosocial Correlates in Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-sectional Study

et al. 2022

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Purpose Research suggests that internalised weight stigma may explain the relationship between perceived weight stigma and adverse psychological correlates (e.g. depression, disordered eating, body image disturbances). However, few studies have assessed this mechanism in individuals seeking bariatric surgery, even though depression and disordered eating are more common in this group than the general population. Materials and Methods We used data from a cross-sectional study with individuals seeking bariatric surgery (n = 217; 73.6% female) from Melbourne, Australia. Participants (Mage = 44.1 years, SD = 11.9; MBMI = 43.1, SD = 7.9) completed a battery of self-report measures on weight stigma and biopsychosocial variables, prior to their procedures. Bias-corrected bootstrapped mediations were used to test the mediating role of internalised weight stigma. Significance thresholds were statistically corrected to reduce the risk of Type I error due to the large number of mediation tests conducted. Results Controlling for BMI, internalised weight stigma mediated the relationship between perceived weight stigma and psychological quality of life, symptoms of depression and anxiety, stress, adverse coping behaviours, self-esteem, exercise avoidance, some disordered eating measures and body image subscales, but not physical quality of life or pain. Conclusion Although the findings are cross-sectional, they are mostly consistent with previous research in other cohorts and provide partial support for theoretical models of weight stigma. Interventions addressing internalised weight stigma may be a useful tool for clinicians to reduce the negative correlates associated with weight stigma. Graphical abstract

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Inconsistencies in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of internalized weight stigma: A potential way forward

Cited by 18 publications

References 20 publications

Examining the Conceptual and Measurement Overlap of Body Dissatisfaction and Internalized Weight Stigma in Predominantly Female Samples: A Meta-Analysis and Measurement Refinement Study

Examining the Conceptual and Measurement Overlap of Body Dissatisfaction and Internalized Weight Stigma in Predominantly Female Samples: A Meta-Analysis and Measurement Refinement Study

Application of the sociocognitive model of internalized stigma to weight: The role of weight controllability beliefs on obligatory exercise engagement.

Internalised Weight Stigma Mediates Relationships Between Perceived Weight Stigma and Psychosocial Correlates in Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-sectional Study

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