Expand Your Horizon: An Online Writing Intervention for Women
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The purpose of this research study is to test a new writing-based intervention that helps young adult women increase their body acceptance and fosters creativity.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
In this study, participants will be asked to do the following things:
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Complete 3 writing exercises over the course of week. Each writing exercise will take approximately 15 minutes to complete
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~1-hour long online surveys immediately after the program (1 week), and 1 week after the program. Questions will ask about eating behaviors and attitudes, body image, feelings of weight stigma, and mental health.
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Be contacted through email to remind participants to complete the writing assignments/survey
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: body acceptance program
|
Behavioral: body acceptance program
Complete 3 writing exercises over the course of week. Each writing exercise will take approximately 15 minutes to complete
|
| Active Comparator: writing creativity program
|
Behavioral: writing creatively program
Complete 3 writing exercises over the course of week. Each writing exercise will take approximately 15 minutes to complete
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Change in weight bias internalization (WBI) [baseline to 2 weeks]
The Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) is a modified version of the Weight Bias Internalization Scale that was adapted for use with individuals across the weight spectrum. The WBIS-M measures the degree to which individuals apply weight-based stereotypes to themselves and use those to guide their weight self-evaluations. Items are rated on a 7-point scale, with higher scores reflecting greater degrees of weight bias internalization.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Change in body functionality appreciation [baseline to 2 weeks]
Body functionality appreciation will be assessed using the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS). The Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) is a 7-item scale that measures appreciation for the functionality of one's body, which is believed to help offset appearance concerns. Items are rated on a 5-point scale with higher scores reflecting greater appreciation for the functionality of one's body.
- Change in body image dissatisfaction [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Body dissatisfaction will be measured using Body-Image Ideals Questionnaire (BIQ. The BIQ is a 22-item measure that assesses appearance satisfaction. This scale examines both perceived discrepancy between one's body image ideal and current appearance as well as the importance of appearance to one's self-concept.
- Change in objectified body consciousness [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Objectified body consciousness will be assessed using the Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS). This is a 24-item measure that assesses the degree to which one experiences their body as an object.
- Change in self-compassion [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Self-Compassion will be assessed using the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF). This is a 12-item measure that assesses the degree to which one is able to hold her or his own feelings of suffering with a sense of warmth, connection, and concern
- Change in depression [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Depression will be assessed using the depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). This measure asks participants to rate the frequency and severity of negative emotions over the previous week. Items are rated on a four-point scale (0 = did not apply to me at all, 3 = applied to me very much or most of the time).
- Change in anxiety [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Anxiety will be assessed using the anxiety subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). This measure asks participants to rate the frequency and severity of negative emotions over the previous week. Items are rated on a four-point scale (0 = did not apply to me at all, 3 = applied to me very much or most of the time).
- Change in stress [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Stress will be assessed using the stress subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). This measure asks participants to rate the frequency and severity of negative emotions over the previous week. Items are rated on a four-point scale (0 = did not apply to me at all, 3 = applied to me very much or most of the time).
- Change in healthcare stress [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Healthcare Stress will be assessed using a scale created by weight stigma researchers. This is a five-item scale that was originally adapted for a study on healthcare anxiety in higher weight women. Participants use a 10-point scale (1 = No stress, 10 = Very stressed) to indicate their level of stress when thinking about numerous healthcare encounters.
- Change in healthcare avoidance [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Healthcare Avoidance will be assessed by a four-item scale that measures how often someone avoids healthcare. The measure was adapted for the current study such that we deleted an item about mammograms because it is not relevant to this age group. Also, given the short follow-up period, we assumed that participants' healthcare utilization would not change over the course of the study. Thus, we also modified the rating scale to reflect intent to avoid healthcare. Participants will use a five-point scale (1 = Extremely Likely, 5 = Extremely Unlikely) to indicate their likelihood to utilize numerous healthcare encounters.
- Change in physical activity acceptance [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Physical activity acceptance will be assessed using the Physical Activity Acceptance Questionnaire (PAAQ). The PAAQ is a 10-item measure that assesses participants' ability to accept the discomfort associated with exercising.
- Change in global eating disorder symptoms [Baseline to 2 weeks]
Disordered eating will be assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire (EDE-Q). The EDE-Q is a 28-item self-report version of the Eating Disorder Examination that measures frequency of disordered eating cognitions and behaviors experienced in the previous 28 days. Participants rate the number of days behaviors have occurred in the last 28 days, with 0 = no days and 6 = every day. Yes/no questions identify the presence of compensatory and binge behaviors and participants indicate the frequency of these behaviors over the last 28 days. Higher EDE-Q scores indicate greater eating pathology.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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women ages 18 to 25 years
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enrolled in postsecondary education at VCU
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endorse some degree of WBI (as measured by the WBI-M) or body image concerns
Exclusion Criteria:
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men
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pregnant women
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Virginia | United States | 23298 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Suzanne Mazzeo, PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- HM20016491