Exploring the benefits and costs of a growth mindset in a digital app weight management program

We explored the potential benefits and costs of believing one can change their weight (i.e. growth mindset) in the context of a digital weight management program. We investigated mechanisms by which growth mindsets relate to weight loss achievement and body shame. Among participants seeking to lose...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health psychology 2024-09, Vol.29 (11), p.1181-1194
Main Authors: Earl, Sydney, Burnette, Jeni L, Ho, Annabell Suh
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior change
Shame
Weight loss
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Summary:We explored the potential benefits and costs of believing one can change their weight (i.e. growth mindset) in the context of a digital weight management program. We investigated mechanisms by which growth mindsets relate to weight loss achievement and body shame. Among participants seeking to lose weight (N = 1626; 74.7% female; 77.9% White; Mage = 45.7), stronger growth mindsets indirectly predicted greater weight loss achievement through positive offset expectations and subsequent increased program engagement. Additionally, stronger growth mindsets predicted less body shame through positive offset expectations but predicted more body shame through increased onset responsibility, replicating the double-edged sword model of growth mindsets. We conclude with applications that leverage growth mindsets for optimal behavior change while mitigating costs such as body shame.
ISSN:1359-1053
1461-7277
1461-7277
DOI:10.1177/13591053241226610