Driving Healthy Behaviors through Social Support: The Role of Co-Responsibility in Weight Loss and Maintenance

Melanie Knufinke-Meyfroyt, Philips Experience Design, Eindhoven, The NetherlandsFollow
Carlo Lancia, Philips Experience Design, Eindhoven, The NetherlandsFollow
Yentl Lodewijks, Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The NetherlandsFollow
Simon Nienhuijs, Department of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The NetherlandsFollow
Eva Deckers, Program Management Digitization, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The NetherlandsFollow

Abstract

Objective: The effectiveness of out of hospital lifestyle interventions in healthcare is likely co-dependent on social support from involved one's. We sought to investigate the interrelationships between patient-partner Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, and Self-efficacy and the mechanisms through which they contribute to health behaviors and outcomes relevant to weight loss and maintenance. Methods: Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, self-efficacy, health outcomes and health behaviors like total weight loss, physical activity, OBESI-Q, and health satisfaction were assessed through a questionnaire among 868 individuals attempting to lose weight. Full and semi-partial correlations were used to understand the association between Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, Self-efficacy and health outcomes and behaviors. Results: Results showed that increased Co-responsibility was associated with improved health outcomes and that it extended the construct of Spousal Support. The underlying pathway of associations between Co-responsibility and health outcomes was found to be through Self-efficacy. Finally, it was revealed that increased Co-responsibility caused an improvement in Self-efficacy. Conclusion: Understanding Co-responsibility among patients and their involved one's could provide valuable information to health care professionals to tailor care trajectories and achieve better patient health outcomes.

Recommended Citation

Knufinke-Meyfroyt M, Lancia C, Lodewijks Y, Nienhuijs S, Deckers E. Driving Healthy Behaviors through Social Support: The Role of Co-Responsibility in Weight Loss and Maintenance. Patient Experience Journal. 2024; 11(3):73-84. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.1854.