Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Psychiatric Care in Severe Obesity pp 207–219Cite as

The Role of Social Support in Weight Loss Management for Morbidly Obese Individuals

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

This chapter will discuss the role of social support on the treatment and weight loss outcomes of individuals with morbid obesity and those pursing bariatric surgery. Sources and functions of social support will be defined, with the roles of significant others and peers/similar others being explored in more detail. Literature on how these sources of support incite motivation for behaviour change will be provided. The chapter will proceed with suggestions and considerations for clinical practice and these will be demonstrated within a concluding case-based scenario.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Buddeberg-Fischer B, Klaghofer R, Sigrist S, Buddeberg C. Impact of psychosocial stress and symptoms on indication for bariatric surgery and outcome in morbidly obese patients. Obes Surg. 2004;14:361–9.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Shiri S, Gurevich T, Feintuch U, Beglaibter N. Positive psychological impact of bariatric surgery. Obes Surg. 2007;17:663–8.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Sarwer DB, Fabricatore AN. Psychiatric considerations of the massive weight loss patient. Clin Plast Surg. 2008;35:1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Karlsson J, Sjostrom L, Sullivan M. Swedish obese subjects (SOS): an intervention study of obesity: two-year follow-up of health-related quality of life (HRQL) and eating behavior after gastric surgery for severe obesity. Int J Obes. 1998;22:113–26.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Thoits PA. Stress, coping, and social support processes: where are we? What next? J Health Soc Behav. 1995;Extra Issue:53–79.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Tolsdorf CC. Social networks, support, and coping: exploratory study. Fam Process. 1976;15:407–17.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. House JS, Kahn RL. Measures and concepts of social support. In: Cohen S, Syme SL, editors. Social support and health. San Diego: Academic; 1985. p. 83–108.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bambina A. Online social support. Youngstown: Cambria Press; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Taylor SE. Social support: a review. In: Friedman HS, editor. The Oxford handbook of health psychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2011. p. 189–214.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Thoits PA. Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health. J Health Soc Behav. 2011;52:145–61.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Ogle JP, Park J, Damhorst ML, Bradley LA. Social support for women who have undergone bariatric surgery. Qual Health Res. 2016;26:176–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Deci EL, Ryan RM. The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychol Inq. 2000;11:227–68.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Powers T, Koestner R, Gorin AA. Autonomy support from family and friends and weight loss in college women. Fam Syst Health. 2008;26:404–16.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Silva MN, Vieira PN, Coutinho SR, Minderico CS, Matos MG, Sardinha LB, et al. Using self-determination theory to promote physical activity and weight control: a randomized controlled trial in women. J Behav Med. 2010;33:110–22.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ng JYY, Ntoumanis N, Thøgersen-Ntoumani C. Autonomy support and control in weight management: what important others do and say matters. Br J Health Psychol. 2014;19:540–52.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Williams GC, Grow VM, Freedman ZR, Ryan RM, Deci EL. Motivational predictors of weight loss and weight-loss maintenance. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1996;70:115–26.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Bianco T. Social support and recovery from sport injury: elite skiers share their experiences. Res Q Exerc Sports. 2001;72:376–88.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Calfas KJ, Sallis JF, Zabinski MF, Wilfley DE, Rupp J, Prochaska JJ, et al. Preliminary evaluation of a multicomponent program for nutrition and physical activity change in primary care: PACE+ for adults. Prev Med. 2002;34:153–61.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Verheijden MW, Bakx JC, van Weel C, Koelen MA, van Staveren WA. Role of social support in lifestyle-focused weight management interventions. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005;59 Suppl 1:s179–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Geraci AA, Brunt AR, Marihart CL. Social support systems: a qualitative analysis of female bariatric patients after the first two years postoperative. Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care. 2014;9:66–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Vishne TH, Ramadan E, Alper D, Avraham Z, Seror D, Dreznik Z. Long term follow-up and factors influencing success of silastic vertical gastroplasty. Dig Surg. 2004;21:134–41.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Christakis NA, Fowler JH. The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:370–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Woodard GA, Encarnacion B, Peraza J, Hernandez-Boussard T. Halo effect for bariatric surgery: collateral weight loss in patients’ family members. Ach Surg. 2011;416:1185–90.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kiernan M, Moore SD, Schoffman DE, Lee K, King AC, Taylor C, et al. Social support for healthy behaviors: scale psychometrics and prediction of weight loss among women in a behavioral program. Obes J. 2012;20:756–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Whale K, Gillison FB, Smith PC. ‘Are you still on that stupid diet?’: women’s experiences of societal pressure and support regarding weight loss, and attitudes towards health policy intervention. J Health Psychol. 2014;19:1536–46.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Pories ML, Hodgson J, Rose MA, Pender J, Sira N, Swanson M. Following bariatric surgery: an exploration of the couples’ experience. Obes Surg. 2016;26:54–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Lewis MA, McBride CM, Pollak KI, Puleo E, Butterfield RM, Emmons KM. Understanding health behavior change among couples: an interdependence and communal coping approach. Soc Sci Med. 2006;62:1369–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. McLean N, Griffin S, Toney K, Hardeman W. Family involvement in weight control, weight maintenance and weight-loss interventions: a systematic review of randomised trials. Int J Obes. 2003;27:987–1005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Smith SR, Hamon RR, Ingoldsby BB, Miller JE, editors. Exploring family theories. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press; 2009. p. 368.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Shewsbury VA, Steinbeck KS, Torvaldsen S, Baur LA. The role of parents in pre-adolescent and adolescent overweight and obesity treatment: a systematic review of clinical recommendations. Obes Rev. 2011;12:759–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Vidot DC, Prado G, De La Cruz-Munoz N, Cuesta M, Spadola C, Messiah SE. Review of family-based approaches to improve postoperative outcomes among bariatric surgery patients. Surg Obes Rel Dis. 2011;11:451–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Meana M, Ricciardi L. Obesity surgery: stories of altered lives. Reno: University of Nevada Press; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Markus H, Nurius P. Possible selves. Am Psychol. 1986;41:954–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Livhits M, Mercado C, Yermilov I, Parikh JA, Dutson E, Mehran A, et al. Is social support associated with greater weight loss after bariatric surgery? A systematic review. Obes Rev. 2012;12:142–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Beck NN, Johannsen M, Stoving RK, Mehlsen M, Zacariae R. Do postoperative psychotherapeutic interventions and support groups influence weight loss following bariatric surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized trials. Obes Surg. 2012;11:1790–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. McMahon MM, Sarr MG, Clark MM, Gall MM, Knoetgen J 3rd, Service FJ, et al. Clinical management after bariatric surgery: value of a multidisciplinary approach. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81:S34–45.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Song Z, Reinhardt K, Buzdon M, Liao P. Association between support grop attendance and weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2008;4:100–3.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Chang T, Chopra V, Zhang C, Woolford SJ. The role of social medial in online weight management: systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2013;15, e262.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Madan AK, Tichansky DS, Taddeucci RJ. Postoperative laparoscopic bariatric surgery patients do not remember potential complications. Obes Surg. 2007;17:885–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Leahey TM, Wing RR. A randomized controlled pilot study testing three types of health coaches for obesity treatment: professional, peer, and mentor. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2013;21(5):928–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Dutton GR, Phillips JM, Kukkalla M, Cherrington AL, Safford MM. Pilot study evaluating the feasibility and initial outcomes of a primary care weight loss intervention with peer coaches. Diabetes Educ. 2015;41:361–8.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Sogg S, Mori DL. The Boston interview for gastric bypass determining the psychological suitability of surgical candidates. Obes Surg. 2004;14:370–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Andrews G. Intimate saboteurs. Obes Surg. 1997;7:445–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Bylund A, Benzein E, Persson C. Creating a new sense of we-ness: family functioning in relation to gastric bypass surgery. Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care. 2013;8:152–60.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Hafner RJ, Roger J. Husband’s adjustments to wives’ weight loss after gastric restriction for morbid obesity. Int J Obes. 1990;14:1069–78.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Chi M, Tremblay L, Wallwork A, Boyce J. Living with bariatric patients: partners’ perspectives. Can J Diabetes. 2015;39:S29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Orth WS, Madan AK, Taddeucci RJ, Coday M, Tichansky DS. Support group meeting attendance is associated with better weight loss. Obes Surg. 2008;18:391–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Bogo M. Social work practice: concepts, processes, and interviewing. New York: Columbia University Press; 2006. p. 311.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Toronto Western Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program, University Health Network, 4E-460, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2S8

    Anna Wallwork M.A., M.S.W. & Lynn Tremblay M.S.W., R.S.W.

Authors
  1. Anna Wallwork M.A., M.S.W.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lynn Tremblay M.S.W., R.S.W.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anna Wallwork M.A., M.S.W. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Toronto Western Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program, Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Sanjeev Sockalingam

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Raed Hawa

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wallwork, A., Tremblay, L. (2017). The Role of Social Support in Weight Loss Management for Morbidly Obese Individuals. In: Sockalingam, S., Hawa, R. (eds) Psychiatric Care in Severe Obesity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42536-8_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42536-8_15

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-42534-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-42536-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation