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Obesity and the Social Withdrawal Syndrome.

Abstract

The relation between obesity and Social Withdrawal Syndrome (SWS) was examined using the data gathered by Rotenberg, Bharathi, Davies, and Finch (2013). One hundred and 35 undergraduates (80 females; Mage=21years-10months) completed standardized scales that assessed the SWS (low emotional trust beliefs in close others, low disclosure to close others, and high loneliness). BMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height. As hypothesized, quadratic relations were found in which participants with BMI>30 (i.e., obese) demonstrated the SWS pattern of low emotional trust beliefs in close others, low disclosure to close others, and high loneliness. As further evidence, lower emotional trust in close others, lower disclosure to close others, and greater loneliness were found for obese participants (>30 BMI, n=27) than both normal weight (<25 BMI, n=67) and overweight participants (25 to 30 BMI, n=41). The findings confirmed the hypothesis that obesity was associated with the SWS. The findings suggested that the lack of trust in others by obese individuals contributes to their unwillingness to seek out help for health and psychosocial problems.

Acceptance Date Mar 29, 2017
Publication Date Apr 4, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Eating Behaviors
Print ISSN 1471-0153
Publisher Elsevier
Pages 167 - 170
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2017.03.006
Keywords BMI; Disclosure; Loneliness; Obesity; Social Withdrawal Syndrome; Trust beliefs
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471015317301113

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