Citation

Yufe SJ, Taube-Schiff M, Fergus KD, Sockalingam S. J. Health Psychol. 2016; 22(8): 1046-1055.

Affiliation

University Health Network, Canada University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1359105315622559

PMID

26822919

Abstract

The experience of weight-based bullying in young adult bariatric patients has not yet been examined. Thirteen young adults (age, 18-24) that were seeking or had undergone bariatric surgery participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. A thematic analysis informed by grounded theory principles was conducted. Analysis revealed the following three major themes: (1) being the biggest kid, (2) coping through avoidance, and (3) compromised peer and intimate relationships. Victims of weight-based bullying often avoid and withdraw socially in response to persistent verbal abuse. The decision to pursue bariatric surgery at a relatively young age adds another dimension of difficulty when navigating peer relationships.

Language: en