Participating in Bariatric Support Groups: the Effects on Self-management Changes

Background: This study focused on changes in self-management as the main outcome of participation in bariatric psychoeducational support groups. We assessed the contribution of changes in cognitive and emotional variables to improved self-management among 155 participants. Method: Data for this longitudinal study were collected at the beginning (time 1) and at the end (time 2) of the support groups’ 10-session program. The structured questionnaire included self-management (the Bariatric Surgery Self-Management Behaviors Questionnaire), cognitive variables (eating self-efficacy, eating awareness, weight control motivation), and emotional variables (positive and negative affect, emotional eating), as well as background variables. Results: Significant improvements in self-management and in eating self-efficacy, eating awareness, and emotional eating were found at time 2. The hierarchical regression model showed that the improvements in eating self-efficacy, and in positive and negative affect, contributed significantly to improved self-management. Additionally, a modification effect of negative affect was found. Conclusion: We conclude that participation in psychoeducational bariatric support groups is beneficial to improving one’s self-management.