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Intentions to see a psychologist for weight management: A cross‐sectional study investigating beliefs about psychologists, psychological services and obesity
Author(s) -
Murray Kristen,
Brichacek Emily,
Rieger Elizabeth
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.23163
Subject(s) - psychology , helpfulness , weight management , context (archaeology) , clinical psychology , obesity , overweight , cross sectional study , promotion (chess) , intervention (counseling) , association (psychology) , social environment , social psychology , psychiatry , medicine , psychotherapist , paleontology , pathology , politics , political science , law , biology
Abstract Objectives The current study investigated beliefs about psychologists, psychological services and obesity, and their association with intentions to see a psychologist for weight management. Methods A cross‐sectional online survey design was employed in a sample of 136 adults with overweight or obesity ( n = 121 females, M age = 37.58, SD = 9.85). Results Psychologists and psychological services were viewed favourably by participants, with little evidence of role knowledge deficits or significant treatment barriers. Behavioural and social causal beliefs about obesity were indirectly associated with intentions to see a psychologist for weight management through positive associations with psychologists' perceived helpfulness in lifestyle intervention. Indirect effects were not observed for psychological and medical causal beliefs. Conclusion Promotion of psychological services in obesity could highlight their utility in addressing behavioural and social factors. However, there is a need for more research into avoidance of all sources of professional support in this context.