Moya O’Leary, in fulfilling the requirements for a PysD in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University’s New England campus, has written and published a dissertation titled, Stigma of Obesity and Healthcare Utilization.
The impact of personal factors on healthcare utilization is an essential area of research to improve overall health outcomes among the population. This dissertation explored the relationship between perceived stigma and healthcare avoidance among men. It evaluated the relationship between self-reported body mass index (BMI) and avoidance of healthcare appointments due to weight-related stigma and other reasons.
This study found no significant relationship between BMI and avoidance of preventive medical appointments due to perceived stigma. However, men from all weight categories endorsed avoiding preventive healthcare appointments due to weight-related reasons. This study explored the reported reasons for missing preventive medical appointments, such as time constraints, financial concerns, and perceptions of healthcare advice. Additionally, this study emphasized the need for healthcare providers to address weight bias and stigma, as well as other pragmatic obstacles for all categories of weight, to reduce patient avoidance and improve patients’ experiences at preventive medical appointments.
O’Leary plans to continue to work clinically with individuals and couples who are trying to conceive or are in the perinatal period to support parents and future generations. Moya has also begun writing for Postpartum Support International by offering perspectives on healers and birth works as they navigate their own perinatal journeys. Moya hopes to become more involved in advocacy work through the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA) and the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health.
Read and download O’Leary’s dissertation, Stigma of Obesity and Healthcare Utilizationhere.
