Applicability of the Chinese weight self-stigma questionnaire and its relationships with depression, physical exercise, and quality of life

Abstract

This study aims to validate the psychometric properties of the Chinese College Students’ Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ), with a focus on examining its cross-cultural adaptability to provide evidence for localized measurement tools. It further seeks to explore the mechanism through which weight self-stigma influences quality of life satisfaction, elucidating the chain mediating effects of physical exercise (behavior) and depression-anxiety-stress (psychology) to fill the gap in mechanistic research on these pathways. Study 1 assessed validity and reliability via item analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Study 2 used the WSSQ (two dimensions: self-devaluation, Fear of Enacted Stigma), physical exercise scale (frequency, intensity, duration), DASS-21 (three subscales), and life satisfaction scale to construct structural equation models for testing chain mediation. Study 1’s EFA extracted two factors (self-devaluation, Fear of Enacted Stigma) explaining 63.05% variance. CFA showed excellent fit (χ2/df = 1.22, RMSEA = 0.032, CFI = 0.992). Convergent validity (AVE = 0.562/0.605; CR = 0.884/0.901) and discriminant validity (AVE square root > inter-factor correlations) met standards, with strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.899). Study 2 found weight self-stigma negatively predicted life satisfaction (β = -0.390, p < 0.001), with significant chain mediation via physical exercise and depression-anxiety-stress (indirect effect = 0.059, 95% CI [0.011, 0.133]). The Chinese WSSQ demonstrated robust reliability and validity among college students. Weight management interventions should target weight self-stigma reduction, fostering “psychology-behaviour-health” virtuous cycles through physical exercise promotion and mental health improvement to enhance life satisfaction. The scale serves as a valuable tool for weight-related research.