The Weight of Connection: Associations between attachment, relationship satisfaction, and body image in Weight Loss Surgery recipients and their romantic partners

Abstract

Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) is a set of surgical procedures designed to help individuals that are obese or overweight lose weight in a shorter period compared to diet and exercise alone (Wolfe et al., 2016). Romantic relationships can be protective in terms of health, as relationships can positively affect health concerns, and in turn, health concerns can affect relationships as well (Kiecolt-Glaser & Wilson, 2017). Attachment often plays a role in understanding relationship dynamics, and the literature supports the use of attachment in terms of understanding the complexities of health-related behavior associated with obesity and WLS (Leung et al., 2019; Shakory et al., 2015; Taube-Schiff et al., 2015). The aim of this study was to understand the associations between relationship and sexual satisfaction, attachment, attachment ambivalence, self esteem, and body image for both individuals and couples where one or both partners have undergone WLS. Results indicated that relationship satisfaction was associated with less body image concerns at the individual level. Attachment avoidance and attachment ambivalence was associated with less relationship satisfaction at both the individual and couple level. Attachment anxiety was associated with more relationship satisfaction and more body image concerns at the individual level. There was no evidence for attachment orientation or relationship variables of one partner influencing the body image of the other partner. Although attachment appears to be an important influence on body image after WLS, these findings suggest that individual attachment appears to be more important on body image outcomes as opposed to their partner’s attachment orientation.