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We Deserve Space: A Pilot Outcomes Study of a Group Psychotherapy Intervention for Internalized Weight Stigma
Journal article   Peer reviewed

We Deserve Space: A Pilot Outcomes Study of a Group Psychotherapy Intervention for Internalized Weight Stigma

Lisa Brownstone Libby, Erin N. Harrop, Jade Cool, Devin A. Kelly-Barnett, Hannah N. Norling, Katherine L. Daley and D Martin Kivlighan III
International journal of group psychotherapy
02/09/2026
DOI: 10.1080/00207284.2025.2600103
PMID: 41662670

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Abstract

Experienced and internalized weight stigma (IWS) are associated with a plethora of health and psychosocial consequences. In this study, we tested the outcomes of a 10–12 week, online, counselor-facilitated support group (We Deserve Space; WDS) for individuals who had experienced weight stigma. Twenty-five large-bodied individuals participated in three iterations of the WDS group. Participants average age was 43.68 years (SD = 13.84, range = 28–78). Revisions to WDS curricula were made iteratively in response to feedback. Paired samples t-tests yielded statistically significant improvements on all variables (IWS, antifat attitudes, depressive symptoms, loneliness, eating-disorder functional impairment, belongingness) from baseline to end-of-group, with effect sizes in the medium to large range. This study provides preliminary evidence that WDS may improve IWS, disordered-eating functional impairment, and psychosocial well-being in large-bodied individuals.

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