Date Approved

2025

Degree Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department or School

Psychology

Committee Member

Tamara Loverich, PhD

Committee Member

Rusty McIntyre, PhD

Committee Member

Elizabeth Neilson, PhD

Committee Member

Mark Whisman, PhD

Abstract

This study explored how fusion in important relationships relates to weight concern and whether these effects are moderated by self-as-context perspectives and racial and ethnic background. Grounded in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and relational frame theory (RFT), eight models were constructed to evaluate influence of important others when absent or present and when moderated by self-as-context, racial and ethnic background and in multiple moderation models analyses using data from 1,323 participants. Results indicated that fusion with family was significantly associated with greater weight concern, when family was absent (ß = 0.10, p = .03) and present (ß = 0.12, p = .01). Neither diverse racial and ethnic background nor self-as- context perspectives alone predicted greater weight concern but multiple moderation analyses found a potential buffering role of self-as-context in racial and ethnic diversity in unpartnered participants. The multiple moderating effects of self-as-context perspectives and diverse racial ethnic background on the relationship between family fusion when physically absent and weight concern explained 5.2% of the variance in weight concern in unpartnered people, F(7, 637) = 4.95, p < 0.001. Additionally, self-as-context perspectives and diverse racial and ethnic background approached a significant moderation effect (p = 0.05) on the interaction between family fusion and weight concern and explained 4.2% of the variance in weight concern in unpartnered people, F(7, 637) = 3.98, p < 0.001. Findings suggest that important others’ verbal behavior may influence body-based self-appraisals even in the absence of others. The observed protective effects of self-as-context perspectives, particularly among diverse participants, and the clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.

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