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Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ)

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Abstract

The experience of stigmatization is widespread among obese patients. The aim of the present study was to translate the English version of the weight self-stigma questionnaire (WSSQ) into German and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the German version in a sample of severely obese persons. Between March and June 2013, in the Outpatient Department of Obesity, University Hospital Heidelberg, 94 obese patients were recruited consecutively. A comprehensive questionnaire was completed by the participants. Significant correlations between WSSQ scores and mental quality of life, weight-related quality of life, depression, shame, guilt, and psychological distress all demonstrated the construct validity of the German version of the WSSQ. Patients with a BMI ≥ 50 showed a significantly higher self-stigma compared to patients with a BMI between 35 and 50.

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Conflict of Interest

BW, KH, BH, LL, GR, and UZ declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Statement of Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Bernhard Hain, Lorena Langer, Katharina Hünnemeyer & Beate Wild

  2. Department of Medicine I and Clinical Chemistry, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Gottfried Rudofsky & Ulrike Zech

Authors
  1. Bernhard Hain
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  2. Lorena Langer
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  3. Katharina Hünnemeyer
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  4. Gottfried Rudofsky
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  5. Ulrike Zech
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  6. Beate Wild
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beate Wild.

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Hain, B., Langer, L., Hünnemeyer, K. et al. Translation and Validation of the German Version of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ). OBES SURG 25, 750–753 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1598-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1598-6

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