Abstract
Adherence to behavioral weight management programs is often limited, especially among ethnic minority populations. The current
study examined whether attitudinal familism, or attention to the needs of family above those of the self, predicted poorer
adherence to a behavioral weight management program in Mexican–American women. One-hundred overweight or obese Mexican–American
women from the southwestern United States were enrolled in a group-based weight loss treatment. Zero-order correlations indicated
that general commitment to attitudinal familism, as measured by the Attitudinal Familism Scale, was significantly negatively
associated with calorie and physical activity goal completion and marginally negatively associated with session attendance.
The results of the current study indicate that researchers may consider addressing familism when developing tailored weight
management interventions for Mexican–American women.
study examined whether attitudinal familism, or attention to the needs of family above those of the self, predicted poorer
adherence to a behavioral weight management program in Mexican–American women. One-hundred overweight or obese Mexican–American
women from the southwestern United States were enrolled in a group-based weight loss treatment. Zero-order correlations indicated
that general commitment to attitudinal familism, as measured by the Attitudinal Familism Scale, was significantly negatively
associated with calorie and physical activity goal completion and marginally negatively associated with session attendance.
The results of the current study indicate that researchers may consider addressing familism when developing tailored weight
management interventions for Mexican–American women.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-012-9420-6
- Authors
- Julia L. Austin, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Jane Ellen Smith, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Loren Gianini, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Marita Campos-Melady, Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715