Analyzing Psychological Profile of Patients with Obesity Attended for Obesity Surgery in Isfahan, Iran

Aim and Obesity has been increasing significantly during the past decade in Iran due to changes in lifestyle and nutrition patterns. Many people turn to obesity surgery after failing in all other methods of weight reduction; however, they face failure again as they do not consider psychological factors. This study was conducted to assess the psychological profile of patients with obesity attended for obesity surgery.
Methods and Materials: The current research was a descriptive study and had been completed periodically over the course of 2012-2013. The studied population included individuals with obesity that has the body mass index (BMI) of above 30 kg/m2. The sample population of 115 people was chosen via convenience sampling method and their psychological data were gathered through various standard questionnaires including hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), neuroticism-extraversion-openness five-factor inventory (NEO-FFI), quality of life survey [short form 36 (SF-36)] and coping operations preference enquiry (COPE) survey. In the next step, raw data were processed and analyzed using the software SPSS in order to compare men and women mean scores.
Findings: The studied population had an average level of anxiety and depression. Among the personality characteristics, amiability has the most and responsibility has the least mean. Problem-solving method has the most and acceptance has the least mean among coping styles. Mean of quality of life score had an average level. There was a significant difference between the anxiety score among men and women; and avoidance and quality of life coping styles were the most used ones among women and men, respectively.
The patients who volunteer for obesity surgical treatment methods suffer from some degrees of anxiety and depression, and use problem-solving coping style to manage their stress. In addition, they have incompatible personality dimensions and average quality of life. These characteristics can alter treatment, and reversibility of surgery outcomes.