Psychological Correlates of Body Image Dissatisfaction Before and After Bariatric Surgery

• Published in: Bariatric surgical practice and patient care Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 184 - 189
• Main Authors: Pona, Ashleigh A., Marek, Ryan J., Heinberg, Leslie J., Lavery, Megan, Ashton, Kathleen, Rish, Julie Merrell
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Rochelle Mary Ann Liebert, Inc 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Anxiety; Gastrointestinal surgery; Mental depression; Metabolism; Obesity; Psychologists; Psychology; Researchers; Risk factors; Self esteem; Self image; Weight control; Cleveland Ohio; Ohio; Minnesota; United States > US
• ISSN: 2168-023X; 2168-0248
• DOI: 10.1089/bari.2017.0021

Purpose: Identify psychological factors associated with body image dissatisfaction (BID) before, 3 months, and 6+ months after bariatric surgery. Methods: Bariatric patients (n = 444) completed a preoperative interview, 3 month and/or 6+ month postoperative psychology appointment, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). Scales measuring generalized distress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem were examined. Medical records were reviewed for demographics and current psychiatric diagnoses. Results: Preoperative BID was associated with higher scores on MMPI-2-RF scales of Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction, Demoralization, Low Positive Emotions, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Self-Doubt, Inefficacy, Anxiety, and Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, in addition to a diagnosis of depression and eating disorder not otherwise specified. Patients who reported BID at 3 months scored higher on MMPI-2-RF scales of Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction, Demoralization, Ideas of Persecution, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Self-Doubt, Inefficacy, and Negative Emotionality/Neuroticism, and were more likely to have a depression or anxiety diagnosis. No psychiatric diagnoses or MMPI-2-RF scales were predictive of BID 6+ months after bariatric surgery. Conclusions: Bariatric candidates experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and disturbed eating at preoperative evaluation are more likely to report BID before and after bariatric surgery. Future research should consider the limitations of long-term follow-up in this study to advance the field forward.