Open AccessPatient-provided e-support in reduced intensity obesity treatment: The INSPIRE randomized controlled trial.
Author(s) -
Tricia M. Leahey,
Tania B. HuedoMedina,
Andrea Grenga,
Denise Fernandes,
Zeely Denmat,
Caroline Doyle,
Remei Areny-Joval,
Rena R. Wing
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.548
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1930-7810
pISSN - 0278-6133
DOI - 10.1037/hea0000996
Subject(s) - weight loss , randomized controlled trial , social support , psychology , peer support , peer group , obesity , social comparison theory , medicine , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychiatry , social psychology
There are two types of patient supporters, peers (two individuals initiating health behavior change who support one another) and mentors (a previously successful patient who supports incoming patients). Social comparison theory suggests that peers and mentors may elicit social comparison processes (patients may compare their progress to that of their peer/mentor), and these social comparisons could impact treatment outcomes. This randomized controlled trial is the first to examine the differential impact of peers and mentors on obesity treatment outcomes and social comparison processes when added to reduced intensity treatment.