Leipzig University Medical Center, IFB AdiposityDiseases, Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), University of Leipzig, Germany.
Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), University of Leipzig, Germany.
Soc Sci Med. 2015 Mar;128:25-30. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.01.002. Epub 2015 Jan 6.
The desire for social distance towards individuals with obesity as part of the stigmatization process has not been investigated. The aims of this study include: (a) determining the prevalence of social distance and its domains in a population-based sample; (b) reporting levels of emotional response; and (c) investigating the association of BMI, emotional response and social distance. The data were derived from a large population based telephone survey in Germany (total n = 3,003, this sub-sample n = 1008). Emotional response to individuals with obesity was assessed for the emotions discomfort, pity, insecurity, amusement, sympathy, help and incomprehension (5-point Likert scale). Social distance was measured on a 5-point Likert scale covering different areas of social interaction. This served as the dependent variable for a linear regression model and mediation models that included BMI and emotional response. Social distance was highest for job recommendation, introduction to a friend, someone with obesity marrying into the family and renting out a room. Means of emotional responses were highest for pity (Mean = 2.58), sympathy (Mean = 2.87) and wanting to help (M = 2.76). In regression analyses, incomprehension (b = 1.095, p < 0.001) and sympathy (b = -0.833, p < 0.001) and the respondents' own BMI (b = -0.145, p < 0.001) were significantly associated to the overall amount of social distance. Mediation models revealed a significant mediation effect of BMI through sympathy (b = -0.229, % of total effect through mediation = 10.3%) and through incomprehension (b = -0.057, % of total effect through mediation = 27.5%) on social distance. Social distance towards individuals with obesity is prevalent in the general public in Germany and it is associated with emotional responses. Altering the emotional responses may, therefore, be a starting point in anti-stigma interventions. Evoking sympathy and lowering incomprehension may result in lower overall social distance.
人们普遍对肥胖个体存在社会距离，这是污名化过程的一部分，但目前尚未对此进行研究。本研究的目的包括：(a)在基于人群的样本中确定社会距离及其领域的流行程度；(b)报告情绪反应水平；以及 (c)调查 BMI、情绪反应和社会距离之间的关系。该数据来自德国一项大型基于人群的电话调查（总样本量为 3003 人，本次子样本量为 1008 人）。使用 5 点 Likert 量表评估了人们对肥胖个体的情绪反应，包括不适、同情、不安、好笑、同情、帮助和不理解。社会距离通过 5 点 Likert 量表测量，涵盖了不同的社会互动领域。这是线性回归模型和包含 BMI 和情绪反应的中介模型的因变量。在工作推荐、介绍朋友、肥胖者与家人结婚和出租房间方面，社会距离最高。情绪反应的平均值最高的是同情（Mean = 2.58）、同情（Mean = 2.87）和想要帮助（M = 2.76）。在回归分析中，不理解（b = 1.095，p < 0.001）和同情（b = -0.833，p < 0.001）以及受访者自身的 BMI（b = -0.145，p < 0.001）与整体社会距离显著相关。中介模型显示，BMI 通过同情（b = -0.229，通过中介的总效应的百分比 = 10.3%）和通过不理解（b = -0.057，通过中介的总效应的百分比 = 27.5%）对社会距离具有显著的中介效应。德国公众普遍对肥胖个体存在社会距离，这与情绪反应有关。因此，改变情绪反应可能是反污名干预的起点。唤起同情和降低不理解可能会导致整体社会距离降低。
