Validation of the weight self-stigma questionnaire in a polish sample: Factor structure and measurement invariance by gender
Validation of the weight self-stigma questionnaire in a polish sample: Factor structure and measurement invariance by gender
StatusVoR
Alternative title
Authors
Różycka, Jagoda
Nowacki, Ari
Łukowska, Marta
Sokołowska, Maryla
Zielińska, Joanna
Duszkiewicz, Roksana
Stojek, Monika M.
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Date
2025-06-27
Publisher
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Journal of Psychosomatic Research
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Volume
195
Pages
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1-8
ISSN
0022-3999
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Access date
2025-06-14
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to confirm the factorial structure of the Polish Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) and to test structural validity, internal consistency and measurement invariance of the questionnaire across gender, Body Mass Index (BMI) and other psychological measures.
Methods: The sample was recruited from the general Polish population (N = 1055), age 18–55. Participants completed the WSSQ, The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0), Emotional Eating and Restrained Eating subscales from The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 (DASS-21) and sociodemographic survey.
Results: The Polish WSSQ showed good overlap with the original structure in the two-factor model (Self-devaluation and Fear of Enacted Stigma). Factor loadings were satisfactory and both subscales showed good internal consistency. The scale demonstrated metric, but not scalar, measurement invariance by gender. The construct validity was confirmed with strong correlations with emotional eating and food addiction. As expected, the WSSQ total score was moderately positively associated with depression and stress severity. The correlations were the weakest for restrained eating and body mass index.
Conclusion: The Polish WSSQ is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of weight-related self-stigma among patients with overweight/obesity. Men and women can be compared when examining association of WSSQ with other measures but gender differences on the WSSQ itself should be interpreted with caution. Future studies should further investigate potential gender differences as well as the test-retest reliability and longitudinal invariance.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Weight self-stigma
Obesity
Psychological assessment
Mental health
Confirmatory factor analysis
Obesity
Psychological assessment
Mental health
Confirmatory factor analysis
Keywords other
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Związek pomiędzy symptomami PTSD, zachowaniami żywieniowymi i zdrowiem fizycznym: Korelaty zapalne, kardiometaboliczne, i psychofizjologiczne
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