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Objectives: Weight‐based stigma is often experienced by individuals who are overweight and obese, and is associated with a range of deleterious physical and mental health outcomes. Research is lacking on the mechanisms through which these relationships occur. This paper examines two potential mechanisms: internalised weight stigma and self‐compassion. Method: A sample of 147 overweight and obese Australian females aged between 18 and 45 years completed a series of self‐report questionnaires measuring: experienced weight stigma, internalised weight stigma, self‐compassion, psychological distress, body shame, loneliness, and life satisfaction. Results: Internalised weight stigma mediated the relationship between experienced weight stigma and body shame such that greater experienced weight stigma led to greater internalised weight stigma, which in turn led to greater body shame. Additionally, self‐compassion mediated the relationship between experienced weight stigma and several psychosocial factors such that greater experienced weight stigma led to lower self‐compassion, which led to greater psychological distress, higher perceived loneliness, and lower satisfaction with life. Conclusions: Findings support previous research indicating that internalised weight stigma plays a mediating role in the relationship between experienced weight stigma and adverse outcomes. This study extends upon prior research by investigating previously unexamined outcome variables and exploring the simultaneous mediating role of self‐compassion. The findings suggest that both internalised weight stigma and self‐compassion each play a different but important role in the way in which weight stigma impacts on overweight and obese women. Results from this study have implications in terms of psychological intervention for overweight and obese individuals in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Body image disturbance encompasses various cognitive and behavioural states originating from a distressing, negative evaluation of one's appearance. It is broader than negative body image, comprising not only dissatisfaction but also distress and dysfunction, and is a core feature of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). This study had two broad aims: to establish normative values for body image disturbance within an Australian population and to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire (BIDQ). Method: Australian undergraduate students (N = 950, 744 female) from Western Sydney completed the BIDQ, along with measures of clinical psychopathology, self‐esteem, and functional impairment. Results: The BIDQ displayed good internal consistency and predictable concurrent relationships with measures of depression, anxiety, stress, self‐esteem, and functional impairment. It also yielded a single latent construct, while higher scores were noted among participants who screened positively for BDD. Conclusions: BIDQ scores for this sample differ to those originally reported, which may reflect sample differences or cultural variation. These values provide a more accurate and reliable guide for clinicians using the BIDQ in Australia than previously available. Overall, the BIDQ demonstrates good psychometric efficacy in an undergraduate sample, although future research should validate the measure among wider clinical and community populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]