1. Blending Behavioural Theory and Narrative Analysis to Explore the Lived Experience of Obesity and Assess Potential Engagement in a UK Weight Management Service: Theory and Narrative Approaches in Weight Management.
- Author
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Gillespie, Jessica, Wright, Hannah, Pinkney, Jonathan, and Lloyd, Helen
- Subjects
WEIGHT loss ,LOCUS of control ,HEALTH services accessibility ,MEDICAL care use ,LIFESTYLES ,QUALITATIVE research ,SELF-efficacy ,MENTAL health ,REGULATION of body weight ,INTERVIEWING ,EXPERIENCE ,MOTIVATION (Psychology) ,THEMATIC analysis ,ATTITUDE (Psychology) ,HEALTH behavior ,ATTITUDES toward obesity ,CONCEPTUAL structures ,HEALTH promotion ,CHANGE ,OBESITY ,PATIENT participation ,PATIENTS' attitudes ,WEIGHT gain ,SELF-perception - Abstract
Background: Current treatments for people with obesity emphasise the need for person-centred approaches that consider complex biopsychosocial factors and value the lived experience of people when attempting to lose weight. Methods: Narrative interviews (n = 20) were conducted with people living with obesity to explore the causes of their weight gain and their expectations and engagement with treatment at a Weight Management Clinic. A mixed inductive and deductive qualitative analysis identified utterances that represented psychological constructs used to understand self-appraisal and health behaviour. A narrative analysis was used to situate these findings in the context of a participant's life story. Results: Locus of control was a dominant construct evidenced through a person's attributional style and self-efficacy. Transcripts represented a heightened sense of self-understanding and shifts in control, and styles of attribution and efficacy resulted in either stasis or self-actualisation. The Stages of Change model could be applied to narratives to ascertain a patient's motivation to access treatment. Importantly, narrative interviews also allowed for the consideration of how a person's systemic context influenced their weight. Conclusion: Narrative interaction supports both self- and shared understandings of the causes and consequences of obesity for individuals, in a non-blaming or shaming manner. It provides an opportunity to enhance engagement through tailored, person-centred treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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