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. 2019 Jun;24(3):575-583.
doi: 10.1007/s40519-017-0382-0. Epub 2017 Apr 7.

Psychometric properties of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) among a sample of overweight/obese French-speaking adolescents

Christophe Maïano  1   2 , Annie Aimé  3   4 , Geneviève Lepage  4 ; ASPQ Team; Alexandre J S Morin  5
Affiliations

Psychometric properties of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) among a sample of overweight/obese French-speaking adolescents

Christophe Maïano et al. Eat Weight Disord. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: The Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) was recently developed to assess the internalization of weight stigma among English-speaking overweight and obese adults. The objective of the present study was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a French version of the WSSQ, as well as its applicability to adolescents.

Methods: The sample comprised 156 overweight and obese adolescents (81 boys, 75 girls, Mage = 16.31). The factor validity and the convergent validity of the French version of the WSSQ were examined using a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation model, respectively.

Results: The a priori two-factor structure of the WSSQ and the composite reliability of its subscales (self-devaluation and fear of enacted stigma) were supported. Convergent validity analyses revealed that both WSSQ subscales were significantly and (a) negatively correlated with measures of self-esteem and physical appearance, and (b) positively correlated with measures of anxiety, depression, fear of negative appearance evaluation, and eating-related pathology (fear of getting fat, eating-related control, food preoccupation, vomiting-purging behaviors, and eating-related guilt subscales). However, no significant relation was found between the WSSQ subscales and body mass index.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the French version of the WSSQ has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used to assess weight self-stigma among overweight and obese adolescents.

Keywords: Body mass index; Convergent validity; French; WSSQ; Weight stigma.

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