Psychometric properties of the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) among a sample of overweight/obese French-speaking adolescents

Abstract

The Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) was recently developed to assess the internalization of weight stigma among English-speaking overweight and obese adults. The objective of the present study was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a French version of the WSSQ, as well as its applicability to adolescents. The sample comprised 156 overweight and obese adolescents (81 boys, 75 girls, Mage = 16.31). The factor validity and the convergent validity of the French version of the WSSQ were examined using a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation model, respectively. The a priori two-factor structure of the WSSQ and the composite reliability of its subscales (self-devaluation and fear of enacted stigma) were supported. Convergent validity analyses revealed that both WSSQ subscales were significantly and (a) negatively correlated with measures of self-esteem and physical appearance, and (b) positively correlated with measures of anxiety, depression, fear of negative appearance evaluation, and eating-related pathology (fear of getting fat, eating-related control, food preoccupation, vomiting-purging behaviors, and eating-related guilt subscales). However, no significant relation was found between the WSSQ subscales and body mass index. These results suggest that the French version of the WSSQ has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used to assess weight self-stigma among overweight and obese adolescents.