Self‐esteem mediates the associations among negative affect, body disturbances, and interpersonal problems in treatment‐seeking obese individuals

BackgroundThis study investigated the relationship among negative affect, body image disturbances (BID), and interpersonal problems, and the mediating effect of self‐esteem in a group of treatment‐seeking obese individuals.MethodsFour hundred twenty‐two obese patients (85 males and 337 females) completed standardised measures that assessed negative affect, BID, self‐esteem, and interpersonal problems.ResultsStructural equation modelling showed that obese individuals with greater negative affect and BID reported higher interpersonal problems and that self‐esteem mediated the relationships among negative affect, BID, and interpersonal problems.ConclusionsThe mediating role of self‐esteem in the relationship between interpersonal functioning and psychological distress needs to be considered when selecting psychologically based interventions that aim to improve the well‐being of treatment‐seeking obese patients.