Erica Ahlich1, Jordana B Herr2, Katryna Thomas2, Daniel T Segarra2, Diana Rancourt3. 1. Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. Electronic address: eahlich@mail.usf.edu. 2. Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. 3. Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The buffering effect of social support against a range of stress-related health outcomes has been well-documented; however, no previous work has examined the applicability of this model to bariatric surgery outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to address whether social support interacts with stress in predicting postsurgical outcomes, as well as whether these associations may vary by sex. SETTING: Teaching hospital, United States. METHODS: Data were collected using retrospective chart review (n = 548). Stress, patient sex, and social support were explored as predictors of curvilinear weight loss trajectories during the first year after surgery using growth curve modeling. RESULTS: Attendance at follow-up appointments was poor, with 250 patients at 6 months and 187 at 12 months. On average, these patients lost 27% of their total weight between baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Overall, weight-related emotional support appeared to be most relevant to weight loss/maintenance in this population; cohabitating with a spouse or significant other and attendance at support group meetings did not predict weight loss or show any significant interactions with stress. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found only partial support for the stress-buffering model of social support among bariatric surgery patients. Such findings have important implications for assessment and follow-up care after bariatric surgery, as well as for future research in this area.
BACKGROUND: The buffering effect of social support against a range of stress-related health outcomes has been well-documented; however, no previous work has examined the applicability of this model to bariatric surgery outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to address whether social support interacts with stress in predicting postsurgical outcomes, as well as whether these associations may vary by sex. SETTING: Teaching hospital, United States. METHODS: Data were collected using retrospective chart review (n = 548). Stress, patient sex, and social support were explored as predictors of curvilinear weight loss trajectories during the first year after surgery using growth curve modeling. RESULTS: Attendance at follow-up appointments was poor, with 250 patients at 6 months and 187 at 12 months. On average, these patients lost 27% of their total weight between baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Overall, weight-related emotional support appeared to be most relevant to weight loss/maintenance in this population; cohabitating with a spouse or significant other and attendance at support group meetings did not predict weight loss or show any significant interactions with stress. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found only partial support for the stress-buffering model of social support among bariatric surgery patients. Such findings have important implications for assessment and follow-up care after bariatric surgery, as well as for future research in this area.
Authors: María José Torrente-Sánchez; Manuel Ferrer-Márquez; Beatriz Estébanez-Ferrero; María Del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte; Alicia Ruiz-Muelle; María Isabel Ventura-Miranda; Iria Dobarrio-Sanz; José Granero-Molina Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-17 Impact factor: 3.390