Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2022

DOI

10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102127

Publication Title

Clinical Psychology Review

Volume

92

Pages

102127 (1-13)

Abstract

Weight bias internalization (WBI), a process of weight-based self-devaluation, has been associated with adverse mental and physical health. However, there are limitations with the existing conceptualization and operationalization of WBI that raise questions about the implications of this evidence-base. To address these limitations, the present study investigated the construct validity of WBI by conducting a meta-analysis of associations between WBI (as currently operationalized) and conceptually-related correlates. Studies identified through October 2021 that provided zero-order correlations for associations between WBI and conceptually-related constructs were examined. Meta-regression determined whether these associations differed across WBI measures and demographic (age, sex/gender, race, BMI) and study-level (publication status, sample type, study quality) moderators. Data for 128 (sub)samples were identified (Msample size = 477.83, SD = 1679.90; Mage = 34.46, SD = 12.17; range = 10.21–56.60). Greater WBI exhibited large to very large associations with factors suggested to have considerable overlap with this construct (negative and positive body image, self-devaluation), general and weight-specific experiential avoidance, and individuals' anticipation of future weight stigma. Associations varied for other constructs that have been differentially included in conceptualizations of WBI (endorsing weight bias, weight stigma stereotype awareness, weight stigma experiences), and via measurement-related, demographic, and study-level factors. These findings provide important information that can advance WBI conceptualization and measure-refinement.

Rights

© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Included after a 2-year embargo in accordance with publisher policy.

Comments

Publisher's version is available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102127

Pub med version is available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8858873

Original Publication Citation

Romano, K. A., Heron, K. E., Sandoval, C. M., Howard, L. M., MacIntyre, R. I., & Mason, T. B. (2022). A meta-analysis of associations between weight bias internalization and conceptually-related correlates: A step towards improving construct validity. Clinical Psychology Review, 92, 1-13, Article 102127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102127

ORCID

0000-0002-7452-876X (Heron)

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