Imagen corporal y malestar psicológico en una muestra de adolescentes y jóvenes cnilenos, candidatos a cirugía bariátrica

Translated title of the contribution: Body image and psychological distress in a sample of chilean adolescents and young adults candidates for bariatric surgery

Claudia Cruzat-Mandich, Fernanda Díaz-Castrillón, Valentina Gabriela Ulloa Jiménez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Bariatric surgery is becoming increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults, given the procedures association with weight loss and improvements in quality of life. Thus, it is necessary to explore psychological variables involved in the process pre and post-surgery. Objectives: To describe psychosocial and medical characteristics of a sample of Chilean adolescent and young adults candidates for bariatric surgery, and to analyze the relationships between their BMI, body image, and psychological distress. Methodology: Quantitative cross-sectional study with a descriptive-relational approach. The sample is comprised of 61 candidatesfor bariatric surgery between the ages of 15 and 25 from different Chilean health centers (5 males and 56 females). The MBSRQ and SCL-90-R questionnaires were administered to evaluate body image and psychological distress, respectively. Wilcoxon and Spearman's tests were used to compare groups and analyze correlations between variables. Results: No significant relationships were observed between BMI, MBSRQ or the SCL-90-R. Participants presented higher levels of health and illness orientation and of dissatisfaction with their appearance, health and fitness when compared to a non-clinical adolescent sample of another study. Significant correlations were observed between these three latter constructs and certain dimensions of psychopathology. Similar levels of appearance orientation were found among the sample and non-clinical adolescents. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of focusing on the evaluative aspects of body image, specifically in regard to appearance, when providing psychological support pre and post-surgery, in order to complement medical and nutritional care, and to address potential psychosocial and emotional complications.

Translated title of the contributionBody image and psychological distress in a sample of chilean adolescents and young adults candidates for bariatric surgery
Original languageSpanish
Pages (from-to)250-262
Number of pages13
JournalPrensa Medica Argentina
Volume102
Issue number5
StatePublished - Jul 2016
Externally publishedYes

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