Perceived Weight Discrimination and General Coping Strategies

Abstract

Background: Perceived weight discrimination is associated consistently with worse health outcomes. Coping strategies may be one mechanism of this association. The present research examined the association between perceived weight discrimination and strategies used to cope with general stress (not weight-specific) and whether these strategies accounted for part of the association with markers of health. Method: Participants (N = 1882) completed a cross-sectional survey with a comprehensive measure of coping strategies and reported on their perceived experience of weight discrimination and markers of physical, mental, and social health. Results: Perceived weight discrimination was associated with greater use of disengaged coping strategies (β =.19, p