title: Measuring experiential avoidance in a bariatric surgery population--psychometric properties of AAQ-W.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Valid measures capturing underlying psychological processes post surgery for obesity are needed to help identify important clinical targets and develop psychosocial interventions in conjunction with surgery. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight (AAQ-W) measures experiential avoidance and has never been evaluated in a bariatric surgery population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited at a bariatric surgery clinic during follow-up care. The evaluation of psychometric properties of AAQ-W was done by repeated measurements of reliability (n = 62), convergent validity (n = 75 and n = 178), predictive validity (n = 61), factor analysis and calculation of internal consistency (n = 178).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The AAQ-W was found to have satisfactory psychometric properties. Internal consistency was high (α = .86). Results showed good stability over time (r = .77) and validity coefficients ranging from r = .36 to .71. AAQ-W scores measured six months post surgery predicted satisfaction with life, negative emotional states, emotional eating and general eating pathology measured one year post surgery. However AAQ-W measured at six months did not predict percent excess BMI Loss at one year. Factor analysis showed that a five factor solution (Food as Control, Body Acceptance, Self-Stigma, Self-Efficacy and Emotional Avoidance) might be a good fit (n = 178).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the AAQ-W appears to be a psychometrically sound measure that can be used by researchers and clinicians in the context of bariatric surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address:sandra.weineland@psyk.uu.se.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weineland
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lillis
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dahl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D004644:Emotions; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss