title: Weight-based bullying and compromised peer relationships in young adult bariatric patients.
abstract: The experience of weight-based bullying in young adult bariatric patients has not yet been examined. Thirteen young adults (age, 18-24) that were seeking or had undergone bariatric surgery participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. A thematic analysis informed by grounded theory principles was conducted. Analysis revealed the following three major themes: (1) being the biggest kid, (2) coping through avoidance, and (3) compromised peer and intimate relationships. Victims of weight-based bullying often avoid and withdraw socially in response to persistent verbal abuse. The decision to pursue bariatric surgery at a relatively young age adds another dimension of difficulty when navigating peer relationships.
authors.affiliation: 1 York University, Canada.
authors.forename: Shira J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yufe
authors.affiliation: 2 University Health Network, Canada.|3 University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Canada.
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taube-Schiff
authors.affiliation: 1 York University, Canada.|4 Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Canada.
authors.forename: Karen D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Fergus
authors.affiliation: 2 University Health Network, Canada.|3 University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Canada.
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sockalingam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000523:psychology*; D058445:Bullying; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D010379:Peer Group; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: bariatric surgery; psychosocial care; qualitative methods; social interaction; stigmatization