DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/GBS9-N976
Defense Date
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Nao Hagiwara
Second Advisor
Eric Benotsch
Third Advisor
Jessica LaRose
Abstract
Individuals with overweight/obesity have been found to exhibit more negative attitudes toward health care and disproportionate rates of health care delay and avoidance, compared to their healthy weight peers. The present study sought to examine potential mechanisms through which weight status influences health care utilization and attitudes. Six hundred and thirty-three students completed a questionnaire measuring weight status, perceived weight bias, patient-provider relationship, and health care utilization and attitudes. Although the majority of the paths in the proposed theoretical mediation model were supported by the present findings, there was no support for the anticipated link between perceived weight bias and the patient-provider relationship or weight-related embarrassment. Overall, these results corroborated previous findings in a novel sample, but did not provide evidence that perceived weight bias mediates the relationship between weight status and health care outcomes. Possible explanations for these findings are deliberated.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
8-6-2015