The Power Semantics in Self and Other Repertory Grid Representations: A Comparison between Obese and Normal-Weight Adult Women

Abstract

According to systemic-constructivist theory, all psycho-pathological organizations are linked to specific meanings which are developed by the individual within problematic situations in the context of learning, particularly within the family. The aim of this empirical study is to support the theory that eating disorders are linked to the “power semantics,” concept developed by Ugazio. The hypothesis that the bipolar construct “winner/loser” and the associated meanings are predominant for obese people, has been verified by interviewing 44 women (22 obese/overweight; 22 controls) using the Repertory Grid Test developed by Kelly. The participants’ elicited constructs were classified according to their semantic content and the data compared using statistical techniques. The power semantics were more prevalent and important in the Obese Group than in the Control Group. These results are critically discussed, highlighting possible clinical developments.

Freedom, Goodness, Power, and Belonging: The Semantics of Phobic, Obsessive-Compulsive, Eating, and Mood Disorders

“…The diagnostic information is gathered in the subsequent sessions. Moreover other scholars have found similar results in research interviews using other tools such as the Repertory Grids (Faccio, Belloni & Castelnuovo, 2012) or Self-characterization (Veronese, Romaioli, & Castiglioni, 2012).…”

Becoming ex‐obese: narrations about identity changes before and after the experience of the bariatric surgery

“…Many respondents reported not knowing which way to go, not seeing any solution, except surgery, confirming the findings of other research (Faccio et al . ,b, Castiglioni et al . ).…”

A Couple in Love Entangled in Enigmatic Episodes: A Semantic Analysis

“…One of Ugazio's central theses–recently confirmed by a substantial amount of research (Castiglioni, Faccio, Veronese, & Bell, ; Castiglioni, Veronese, Pepe, & Villegas, ; Faccio, Belloni, & Castelnuovo, ; Faccio et al., ; Ugazio & Fellin, ; Ugazio, Negri, & Fellin, )–is that people with eating, phobic, obsessive‐compulsive disorders, and depression will have grown up in families where certain coherent sets of meaning dominate the conversation. They are the semantics of freedom (phobic disorders), goodness (obsessive‐compulsive disorders), power (eating disorders), and belonging (depression).…”