While the concept of oppression has been studied in the context of many social or
cultural identity variables (e.g., race, gender, sexual orientation), body size and weight
are just beginning to be considered as additional multicultural or diversity factors that
may lead to experiences of oppression or privilege. Previous research has examined
weight bias, fat-phobia, obesity stigma, and related concepts, but mostly using
quantitative methods and often only in very specific realms (e.g., employment
discrimination based on weight/body size). The purpose of the current study was to
examine the subjective experiences of weight-related oppression of individuals who are,
or have been, of large body size. A sample of 20 adults (16 women and 4 men) who
have, or will, undergo bariatric weight loss surgery were interviewed about their
experiences of weight or body size-related oppression, and their responses qualitatively
analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted
and included questions or prompts regarding participants’ personal experiences of
weight-based discrimination, perceived prejudice, stigma, as well as other concepts
related to oppression (or conversely, privilege). Four constructs emerged from 14 themes in the data. The overarching constructs included a) weight-related oppression occurs at
multiple levels, b) weight-related oppression occurs in multiple areas of participants’
lives, c) belief and attitudes about weight and body size, and d) reactions to oppression.
The 14 themes were comprised of 58 ideas that were relevant for this topic and repeated
both within and across the participants. Clinical implications for medical and mental
health providers, limitations of the current study, and future research directions are also addressed and discussed. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:123456789/197781 |
| Date | 14 December 2013 |
| Creators | Davis, Holly A. |
| Contributors | Bowman, Sharon L. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
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