Examining Shame, Self-Compassion and Eating Behaviour In Treatment-Seeking Obese Adults: A Cross Sectional Study

Obesity and weight-management is primarily focused on improving diet, nutrition and activity levels. Some research suggests that psychological interventions may have a role in weight-management. This thesis sought to better understand whether there is a role for the use of psychological approaches in obesity. Literature Review: A review of literature examining the efficacy of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment for weight management was conducted. Ten quantitative studies were included in the review. The evidence showed that CBT had a positive effect on weight-loss in both short and long-term studies and was superior to treatment as usual, minimal or no treatment conditions. The literature was critically appraised and clinical implications were discussed. Research Report: The empirical paper examined the role of self-conscious emotions, such as shame, self-esteem and self-compassion along with psychological distress. These have emerged as important factors in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. These were investigated with regards to their relationship with eating behaviours (emotional eating, uncontrolled eating and restraint), as well as eating disorder psychopathology in a clinically obese population. Treatment-seeking obese adults (N=53) were recruited from a dietetic clinic and a range of psychometric measures completed. High levels of shame, distress and eating disorder psychopathology were shown when compared to other non-clinical populations. Results showed high levels of uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating. Internal shame was shown to have a unique contribution in the explanation of emotional eating. A number of significant positive correlations were found with shame, including emotional and uncontrolled eating. Although the sample size was small, the results indicated that shame might have an important role in eating behaviours. Psychological interventions addressing self-conscious negative emotions may be useful in weight management interventions.