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“Better If They Laugh with Me than at Me”: The Role of Humor in Coping with Obesity-Related Stigma in Women

Author

Listed:
  • Natalia Mazurkiewicz

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Mariusz Lipowski

    (Department of Psychology, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Jarosław Krefta

    (Creative Code Studio—Jarosław Krefta, 81-602 Gdynia, Poland)

  • Małgorzata Lipowska

    (Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland)

Abstract

This study investigated the role of perceived stigmatization in the relationship between humor styles and coping with stress among young women suffering from stigma due to obesity. In the 21st century, obesity is an increasing global health issue with many physical and mental consequences for obese women. As a chronic stigmatizing disease, it requires that the affected individuals cope with social consequences; women with obesity are more prone to such consequences than men. Humor fosters the breaking of stereotypes and alleviating the consequences of stigmatization. A total of 127 young adult women (age M = 25.74, SD = 2.73) participated in the study ( n = 54 with overfat and n = 73 with healthy fat). Participants filled out the Humor Styles Questionnaire, Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire, and the Brief COPE Scale. Anthropometric data were gathered using a body composition analyzer. Results indicate that, when perceiving hostile behaviors toward themselves and using humor as a coping strategy, women with overfat select maladaptive styles of humor (i.e., self-defeating and aggressive styles). Women with overfat were also more likely to use humor as a coping strategy in difficult situations. Furthermore, none of the participants were satisfied with their body mass. At the same time, among women without obesity, a lack of compliments was not treated as a problem, even if they had high body fat.

Suggested Citation

  • Natalia Mazurkiewicz & Mariusz Lipowski & Jarosław Krefta & Małgorzata Lipowska, 2021. "“Better If They Laugh with Me than at Me”: The Role of Humor in Coping with Obesity-Related Stigma in Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7974-:d:603125
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Małgorzata Lipowska & Mariusz Lipowski & Paweł Jurek & Anna M. Jankowska & Paulina Pawlicka, 2018. "Gender and Body-Fat Status as Predictors of Parental Feeding Styles and Children’s Nutritional Knowledge, Eating Habits and Behaviours," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Puhl, R.M. & Heuer, C.A., 2010. "Obesity stigma: Important considerations for public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(6), pages 1019-1028.
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