Psychological Profiles of Bariatric Surgery Candidates: Anxiety, Neuroticism, Aggression and Defense Mechanisms as Predictors of BMI and 12-Month Weight Loss

Introduction . Neuroticism, rashness (including aggression), anxiety and ego defence mechanisms can result in conditions that foster excessive caloric intake and hinder the reduction of body mass. In the case of morbid obesity, these mechanisms can be of particular importance, especially when introducing bariatric treatment, during which compliance is a basic prerequisite of the treatment effectiveness. Objectives . The primary objective of the study was to determine if anxiety, defence mechanisms, neuroticism and aggression are linked with BMI; if there are any specific profiles of psychological features in patients applying for the surgery; if there is a profile of features that particularly fosters the loss of body mass after the surgery. Materials and Method . The research was longitudinal. It was divided into two stages: 1) the qualification period for the surgery, 2) 12 months after the bariatric surgery. Ninety-six patients who qualified for bariatric treatment took part in the study. The BMI measurement and the following questionnaires were used: EPQ-R, STAI, IPSA-II and DSQ-40. Results . A linear negative dependency between BMI and anxiety-trait and neuroticism was indicated. The dependencies between aggression and defence mechanisms and BMI were of curvilinear nature. Respondents characterised by the highest BMI were also characterised by weak intensification of anxiety-trait and aggression. The persons with the highest percentage of body mass reduction after the treatment were characterised by the highest BMI before surgery, low level of aggression, and the lowest level of anxiety-trait, as well as by a high level of humour and low level of devaluation. Conclusion . Varied profiles of psychological factors lead to varied results of bariatric treatment. Determining the intensification of anxiety-trait and defence mechanisms becomes particularly important.