Project Title
Decisions are More Than Skin Deep: Exploring Correlations between Self-esteem and the Decision to have Bariatric Surgery
Domain
Social Sciences
Abstract
Bariatric surgery is now a commonplace approach to addressing obesity. One insightful area of research is examining how bariatric decision relates to self-esteem. Of particular interest is correlations between self-esteem levels and the reason the surgery was selected, the source of the decision to get the surgery, and if the surgery recipient experienced a major life change following the event. In this study, the researchers examine a convenience sample of persons receiving bariatric surgery (n=31) and their motivations for having the surgery along with a pre-post measure of having the surgery. Results show respondents who indicated having the surgery was their idea had higher self-esteem prior to surgery while respondents who had the surgery to address their physical appearance or lose weight reported lower self-esteem prior to the surgery. In contrast, respondents who indicated they had the surgery to prevent a medical problem reported slightly higher self-esteem post-surgery.
Mentor Name
James Maples
Mentor Email
james.maples@eku.edu
Recommended Citation
Fox, Penny and Maples, James
(2021)
"Decisions are More Than Skin Deep: Exploring Correlations between Self-esteem and the Decision to have Bariatric Surgery,"
Kentucky Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship: Vol. 5:
Iss.
1, Article 4.
Available at:
https://encompass.eku.edu/kjus/vol5/iss1/4
Included in
Gender and Sexuality Commons, Medicine and Health Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons, Social Psychology and Interaction Commons