A test of the stress-buffering hypothesis of social support among bariatric surgery patients

Background: The buffering effect of social support against a range of stress-related health outcomes has been well-documented; however, no previous work has examined the applicability of this model to bariatric surgery outcomes. Objectives: The present study sought to address whether social support interacts with stress in predicting postsurgical outcomes, as well as whether these associations may vary by sex. Setting: Teaching hospital, United States. Methods: Data were collected using retrospective chart review (n = 548). Stress, patient sex, and social support were explored as predictors of curvilinear weight loss trajectories during the first year after surgery using growth curve modeling. Results: Attendance at follow-up appointments was poor, with 250 patients at 6 months and 187 at 12 months. On average, these patients lost 27% of their total weight between baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Overall, weight-related emotional support appeared to be most relevant to weight loss/maintenance in this population; cohabitating with a spouse or significant other and attendance at support group meetings did not predict weight loss or show any significant interactions with stress. Conclusions: The present study found only partial support for the stress-buffering model of social support among bariatric surgery patients. Such findings have important implications for assessment and follow-up care after bariatric surgery, as well as for future research in this area. (C) 2019 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.