Measuring experiential avoidance in a bariatric surgery population--psychometric properties of AAQ-W.

• Valid measures capturing underlying psychological processes post surgery for obesity are needed to help identify important clinical targets and develop psychosocial interventions in conjunction with surgery. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight (AAQ-W) measures experiential avoidance and has never been evaluated in a bariatric surgery population.Participants were recruited at a bariatric surgery clinic during follow-up care. The evaluation of psychometric properties of AAQ-W was done by repeated measurements of reliability (n = 62), convergent validity (n = 75 and n = 178), predictive validity (n = 61), factor analysis and calculation of internal consistency (n = 178).The AAQ-W was found to have satisfactory psychometric properties. Internal consistency was high (α = .86). Results showed good stability over time (r = .77) and validity coefficients ranging from r = .36 to .71. AAQ-W scores measured six months post surgery predicted satisfaction with life, negative emotional states, emotional eating and general eating pathology measured one year post surgery. However AAQ-W measured at six months did not predict percent excess BMI Loss at one year. Factor analysis showed that a five factor solution (Food as Control, Body Acceptance, Self-Stigma, Self-Efficacy and Emotional Avoidance) might be a good fit (n = 178).This study shows that the AAQ-W appears to be a psychometrically sound measure that can be used by researchers and clinicians in the context of bariatric surgery.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

Anxiety

Bariatric Surgery

Emotions

Factor Analysis

Statistical

Feeding Behavior

psychology

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Obesity

Morbid

psychology

surgery

Patient Satisfaction

statistics & numerical data

Postoperative Period

Predictive Value of Tests

Psychometrics

Reproducibility of Results

Risk Assessment

Surveys and Questionnaires

Weight Loss

Bariatric surgery

Psychology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)