Community Mental Health Providers’ Beliefs About Addressing Weight Loss Among Youth Clients with Serious Emotional Disturbance and Overweight/Obesity: An Elicitation Study

Thomas L. Wykes, Katelynn A. Bourassa, Andrea E. Slosser, Christine L. McKibbin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) have high rates of overweight/obesity. Factors influencing mental health provider intentions to deliver weight-related advice are unclear. This study used qualitative methodology and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs to examine these factors. Community mental health providers serving youth with SED were recruited via convenience sampling and an online provider list. Participants completed an open-ended TPB-based questionnaire online. Content analysis identified thematic beliefs. Twenty-one providers completed the questionnaire. Providers identified behavioral beliefs (e.g., client defensiveness), normative beliefs (e.g., medical professionals), and control beliefs (e.g., limited resources) that impact decisions to provide weight-related advice. Knowledge of factors that may influence providers’ delivery of weight-related advice may lead to more effective healthy lifestyle programming for youth with SED.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1136-1145
Number of pages10
JournalCommunity Mental Health Journal
Volume54
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2018

Keywords

  • Community mental health
  • Intervention
  • Obesity
  • Serious emotional disturbance
  • Youth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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