The relationship between weight self-stigma, depression and loneliness in people with obesity

Abstract

The research was conducted to determine the level of weight self-stigma, depression loneliness and whether is there a relationshipbetween them. This was a descriptive correlational study. The study was conducted in a diet outpatient clinic of auniversity hospital. Participants had moderate weight self-stigma, depression and loneliness. Weight self-stigma sub-dimensionsself-devaluation (β=0.28; p<0.001) and fear of enacted stigma (β=0.28; p<0.001) equally predicted depression. Fear of enactedstigma predicted social loneliness negatively (β=-.44; p<0.001). Fear of enacted stigma (β =.16, p<.005) and depression (β =.44,p<.001) predicted emotional loneliness positively. Weight self-stigma was positively correlated with depression and loneliness(p<0.001). Keywords: Obesity; weight self stigma; depression; loneliness.