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The role of self-efficacy, coping, and lapses in weight maintenance

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Successful weight maintenance after weight loss is exceedingly rare. The present study aimed to identify psychological predictors of lapses and weight maintenance.

Methods

Self-efficacy, coping, and perceptions of lapses were examined as potential predictors of lapse frequency and weight maintenance (percentage weight loss maintained). Participants included 67 adults (85.3 % women) who had intentionally lost a mean of 16 % of their body weight and had stopped losing weight at least 6 months prior to data collection. Participants completed a 7-day lapse diary tracking the frequency and perceived severity of their dietary and activity lapses, along with questionnaires on self-efficacy, coping, and characteristics of their weight loss.

Results

Participants had lost a mean of 13.9 kg, 20.4 months prior to data collection. More frequent lapsing was correlated with lower self-efficacy and greater perceived lapse severity. Lower percentage of weight loss maintained was correlated with lower self-efficacy, poorer coping, greater perceived lapse severity, and longer time since weight loss ended. “Regainers,” who maintained <90 % of their weight loss, had poorer self-efficacy, poorer coping, greater lapse frequency, and greater perceived lapse severity, than “maintainers,” who maintained at least 90 % of their weight loss.

Conclusions

The results suggest that self-efficacy, coping, and perceived lapse severity are significant predictors of weight maintenance, consistent with the relapse prevention model. The goals of improving self-efficacy and coping skills might be important additions to weight maintenance programs.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2530 Dole Street, Sakamaki C400, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Janet D. Latner

  2. Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Geraldine McLeod

  3. Department of Behavioral Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    Kerry S. O’Brien

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    Kerry S. O’Brien

  5. Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Lucy Johnston

Authors
  1. Janet D. Latner
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  2. Geraldine McLeod
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  3. Kerry S. O’Brien
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  4. Lucy Johnston
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Correspondence to Janet D. Latner.

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Latner, J.D., McLeod, G., O’Brien, K.S. et al. The role of self-efficacy, coping, and lapses in weight maintenance. Eat Weight Disord 18, 359–366 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-013-0068-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-013-0068-1

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