Date of Submission

2021

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

First Advisor

Michelle Lent, PhD

Second Advisor

Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, ABPP

Abstract

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disease with physiological symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and anemia. Weight change before and after treatment is common among women with Celiac disease. The relationship between the physical manifestations of Celiac disease and their effects on psychosocial functioning is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the magnitude of weight change on depression, body image, and eating behaviors. This cross-sectional study used data that were collected via online anonymous surveys from 140 women with Celiac disease. Functioning and adherence were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), The Celiac Disease Adherence Test (CDAT), The Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSES), and The Body Appreciation Scale 2 (BAS-2), and weight change was calculated from diagnosis to current weight (Body Mass Index, kg/m2 ). Results showed no significant relationships as hypothesized between the magnitude of weight change and psychosocial variables (depression, eating behaviors, and body image; p > 0.05). Additionally, the relationship between self-efficacy and gluten-free diet adherence were not significant (p > 0.05). Relationships between length of time since diagnoses and self-efficacy, depression, body image, and eating behaviors were not found to be significant (p > 0.05). Participants, however, reported mean depression scores (M = 17.9, SD = 6.4) in the moderately severe range, suggesting that women with Celiac disease may benefit from screenings for depression and from the development of disease-specific interventions to address affective disorders in this population.

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