{"title":"Care or sabotage? A reflexive thematic analysis of perceived partner support throughout the bariatric surgery journey","authors":"Sophia Quirke-McFarlane, Jane Ogden","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.12733","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Objective</h3>\n \n <p>Social support is mostly seen as a positive resource for many health outcomes. However, some research indicates that weight loss may disrupt the equilibrium of relationships and highlights the potential for a more negative form of social support. This qualitative study aimed to explore bariatric surgery (BS) patients' perceptions of the way in which their current or previous partner supported them throughout their BS journey.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Design</h3>\n \n <p>BS patients (<i>N</i> = 30) participated in semi-structured interviews.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Methods</h3>\n \n <p>The data were analysed using an inductive approach to reflexive thematic analysis.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>Four themes were derived from the data. While two themes reflected social support as a form of caring (<i>Mutual Investment</i> and <i>Positive Reinforcements</i>), the other two themes indicated aspects of sabotage (<i>Feeder Behaviours</i> and <i>Negative Reactions to Weight Loss Attempts and Successes</i>). Transcending these themes was the notion of <i>Bariatric Surgery as an Opportunity or Threat to the Relationship</i>.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusions</h3>\n \n <p>Some patients perceived social support as a positive resource in BS success involving <i>Mutual Investment</i> from their partners and being offered <i>Positive Reinforcements</i> for changes in their weight status and wellbeing. Some, however, described more negative aspects of support which had undermined their BS goals, either unintentionally or intentionally, through acts of sabotage including <i>Feeder Behaviours</i> and <i>Negative Reactions to Weight Loss Attempts and Successes</i>. Future research should develop interventions to help prepare the partners of those undergoing BS for the changes to both their partner's weight status and the dynamics of their relationship.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"29 4","pages":"835-854"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/bjhp.12733","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"British Journal of Health Psychology","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjhp.12733","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective
Social support is mostly seen as a positive resource for many health outcomes. However, some research indicates that weight loss may disrupt the equilibrium of relationships and highlights the potential for a more negative form of social support. This qualitative study aimed to explore bariatric surgery (BS) patients' perceptions of the way in which their current or previous partner supported them throughout their BS journey.
Design
BS patients (N = 30) participated in semi-structured interviews.
Methods
The data were analysed using an inductive approach to reflexive thematic analysis.
Results
Four themes were derived from the data. While two themes reflected social support as a form of caring (Mutual Investment and Positive Reinforcements), the other two themes indicated aspects of sabotage (Feeder Behaviours and Negative Reactions to Weight Loss Attempts and Successes). Transcending these themes was the notion of Bariatric Surgery as an Opportunity or Threat to the Relationship.
Conclusions
Some patients perceived social support as a positive resource in BS success involving Mutual Investment from their partners and being offered Positive Reinforcements for changes in their weight status and wellbeing. Some, however, described more negative aspects of support which had undermined their BS goals, either unintentionally or intentionally, through acts of sabotage including Feeder Behaviours and Negative Reactions to Weight Loss Attempts and Successes. Future research should develop interventions to help prepare the partners of those undergoing BS for the changes to both their partner's weight status and the dynamics of their relationship.
期刊介绍:
The focus of the British Journal of Health Psychology is to publish original research on various aspects of psychology that are related to health, health-related behavior, and illness throughout a person's life. The journal specifically seeks articles that are based on health psychology theory or discuss theoretical matters within the field.