Factor structure and psychometric properties of the TFEQ in morbid obese patients, candidates to bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

To analyze the factor structure and psychometric properties of the TFEQ in a morbid obese Spanish sample of bariatric surgery candidates.

METHOD

Multi-trait/ multi-item analyses and alpha coefficients were conducted to test the convergent /discriminant validity and the internal consistency reliability. Principal components analyses (varimax) were used to explore the factor structure. Sub-group factor analyses by gender, age and body mass index (BMI) were conducted to identify unstable items.

RESULTS

The internal structure of the original TFEQ factors was unsatisfactory, especially the Disinhibition Scale. Most Disinhibition and Hunger items were grouped on one factor labeled “Dysregulation Eating”. Cognitive Restraint was split into two factors. The first one, related to the behavioral component of Restraint, labeled “Restrained Behaviour” and the second one related to weight and eating concerns called “Predisposition to Restraint”.

CONCLUSIONS

The original factor structure of the TFEQ was not replicated. A revised 23-item instrument, representing the three new derived factors is offered as a valid screening instrument for severely obese patients.

[The grieving process. Education for health, life and death]

Mourning, a universal human experience is the intentional adaptive process following a significant loss (and sometimes above) that aims to develop such a loss, learn from the experience and accept the loss of the unique aspects that have also lost with that person irreplaceable. The aim of this study is to help health professionals to better understand this complex problem and its implications for both clinical practice and in their own health and the functioning of the healthcare team.

Coping strategies and quality of life among liver transplantation candidates

The maintenance of self-reported quality of life (QL) among people on the liver transplantation waiting list is one of the priority objectives of transplantation teams. Although there are different determinant factors of QL, results are not conclusive. In our study, the goal was to evaluate both the influence of cirrhosis etiology (ethylic and non-ethylic) and the coping strategies used concerning QL. A sample of 93 patients was selected, divided into two groups: ethylic cirrhosis (EC) and non-ethylic cirrhosis (NEC). QL was evaluated through the SF-36 Health Survey, and coping strategies through the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). Our results indicated that subjects with EC obtained similar QL levels to subjects with NEC, on all the SF-36 and MCMQ subscales. Furthermore, negative correlations were found between avoidance and acceptance-resignation coping strategies with the SF-36 components. Consequently, the acceptance-resignation strategy was associated with a worse perception of physical functioning, general and mental health, and vitality and role-emotional. Overall, these results suggest that cirrhosis etiology is not a determinant factor of QL, whereas the acceptance-resignation coping strategy might lead to lower self-perception of QL.