BARIATRIC PATIENT'S PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE: A DESCRIPTION. CHILDHOOD OBESITY, ATTACHMENT AND SATISFACTION WITH THEIR COUPLE RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in recent years, being the third cause of death in developed countries. Although bariatric surgery seems to be the most effective method, a significant percentage of patients have suboptimal results. As a preventive measure, patients are previously evaluated to determine if they are suitable for surgery. The present study examines if the story of childhood obesity, the attachment and the satisfaction in the romantic relationship, are related with the diagnosis orientation. The sample was composed by 411 patients with morbid obesity, candidates for bariatric surgery, from the Hospital Virgen del Rocio in Seville. The data were obtained through sociodemographic and clinical templates, the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (Melero & Cantero, 2008) and a escale of the relationship satisfaction. The study concluded that the unsuitable subjects had in a larger proportion a story of childhood obesity, have an insecure attachment style and a lower level of satisfaction in their relationship, being more notable in the case of women. Therefore, it is necessary to continue investigating the psychological variables related to obesity in order to address these aspects in the preoperative phase through psychological treatments, to ensure a greater effectiveness in the fight against the obesity.