An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Research Paper Example

The Experiences of Women Awaiting Bariatric Surgery and the Effects of Obesity: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)

Method

I have attempted to examine and interpret the views of people who are awaiting weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery) using IPA techniques. I believe it is critical to take a relative view in order to recognize any preconceptions that could influence how I perceive the events. The word “bariatric surgery” is unfamiliar to me. It’s similar to gastric bypass, except I think it’s only used as a last resort for obese people. I understand that people want to get this treatment performed because it feels bad to be discriminated. I can see that anyone would opt to get this surgery after years of dieting, going to the gym, attempting fitness, and taking vitamins with only minor effects. Obesity has a significant impact on a person’s everyday life and welfare, and I agree that they should be allowed to access this treatment regardless of whether it is government-funded or not. Allowing someone to have surgery if they are unable to support themselves prior to and after surgery, on the other hand, would be ineffective. Many obese patients have toxic diet associations that must be resolved to prevent weight gain following surgery. My lack of expertise on this topic, I believe, would provide opportunities to improve the analytical process. My preconceptions seem to be marginally optimistic, which may lead to biased interpretations; nevertheless, by accepting these preconceptions, I will try to mitigate this issue. Finally, participants shared their decision-making and logic as they went through such a dynamic and life-changing process.

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to examine the video diaries (Smith et al., 2009; Flowers et al., 2011). The transcripts were read and re-read many times to thoroughly participate and have a true interpretation of the experiences described by the respondents. Each participant had his or her coding sheet. A preliminary compilation of exploratory coding was compiled and updated to include any ideas that were left out. Language usage, principles and interrogative queries, definitions, and live world aspects were used to translate the code’s info. The development of emergent concepts for each participant was aided by drawing logical connections between the exploratory codes and the original transcript (Wilde & Murray, 2010). Each theme was represented by a collection of extracts. A table of superordinate themes and themes was created using methodological processes (abstraction, polarization, subsumption, contextualization, and mapping). Finally, to illustrate recurring themes, a master table of superordinate themes and themes was created. The transcripts were used in the review to ensure that the themes were accurate representations of the participants’ experiences, and the themes were updated as needed.

Analysis

Table 1: Table of superordinate themes and themes for a single participant

The participants’ reactions to bariatric surgery are unique. There were, however, four recurring themes that characterized their encounters in general (see Table. 1, above). Both topics include the surgery’s transformational nature and how it can help them regain control of their weight. Another constant in the experience of the participants was the need to embrace and support. Finally, participants shared their decision-making and logic as they went through such a dynamic and life-changing process.

Bariatric Surgery as An Instrument for Transformation and Regaining Control

Both participants explored the concept of obesity being out of control and placed accountability upon logic or reason beyond their control. The failure to control their weight equates to a failure to control their life. Bariatric surgery seemed to be their way of relinquishing their control to gain it. For them, the surgery was available as a transformation tool that would enable them to restart their life the way they perceived that it should be at all costs:

Roberta says that she has been on a diet for about fifteen years and was already morbidly obese and losing ground to be malignantly obese, which is their latest type but what she was depicting is that her BMI is a bit high, and she cannot even say how much. And it was one of the factors that prompted her to consider undergoing bariatric surgery. (119-124)

In this extract, Roberta illustrates her motivation for bariatric surgery, having tried several other options that have failed to bear fruits. Like Amelia, Roberta is highly optimistic that the surgery would turn around her life to lead a life like others again. Amelia is also highly optimistic that the surgery would become a success and lead a fully transformed life after the surgery. Time is a great factor for these women, most especially having tried many other options that failed to help them. However, this time around, it is possible that the surgery provides a positive outlook.

Nevertheless, there are many risks involved in bariatric surgery that seem to be outweighed by these unrealistic goals set by the participants. Unfortunately, bariatric surgery is only a procedure that will aid weight loss; a consistent regime of healthy eating and exercise is paramount to maintenance. On the other hand, there was a lack of excitement exhibited from other participants; instead, they related to the failure in controlling weight.

According to Roberta, she points out that she likes to believe that she can transcend and do something, and she has, but she has not been able to tackle her weight. Unfortunately. She describes it as the monkey on her back who has pitched or developed and grown a banana tree on and hasn’t gone away, just lying there (170-175).Here obesity is understood as a loss of control. Roberta relates to the inability to conquer her weight with ease like she can with other areas in her life. The pronoun use of metaphor encapsulates her dissociation from her weight. The imagery suggests that her weight is a separate, uncontrollable entity of its own that she alone could not control. By giving control to an external procedure, Roberta can free herself from her weight and gain control. The other participant has placed her weight control on an external factor.

Obligation to Support

Another recurrent theme throughout the transcript is the duty to support themselves and others. Both participants displayed this through their desire to be socially accepted. The majority of participants also discovered the necessity of sharing their experiences with others. Lastly, the participants stated the essentiality of being honest. This superordinate theme demonstrates aspects of intersubjectivity as the participants enhance their relationships with others and how they would wish to be socially accepted.

The participants were either involved with a particular community or were seeking support. This was explored through religion, bariatric surgery support groups:

‘erm I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and he is the most important thing in my life erm, and I am so glad and so thankful that He loves me and He loved me first and that he be-bestows his grace upon me every day or I’d be in big trouble because I mess things up all the time, but He does accept me as his own anyway.’ (Amelia, 36-41)

This excerpt from Amelia shares the same ideology of being socially accepted no matter what her flaws are. Obese people often have a lot of shame and can be stigmatized. This may explain why all participants love the communities they belong to and feel that they must also help to encourage and support others facing similar challenges:

‘I’m making this video as a way for me to learn about myself and to also to document my experience and hopefully, this video will also and all the future videos will help someone else who is maybe thinking about their surgery or is going to have their surgery’ (Roberta, 113-116)

Decision-Making and Reasoning

Participants also described their reasons for wanting to undergo surgery. The first theme covered preventative measures. Many focused on the physical restriction lux to their weight. Social relationships were also a driving force for both participants; the participants felt guilt for how their weight affected others and needed to do more for their loved ones. Within this theme is a sub-theme that describes unique events and psychological aspects linked to obesity.

‘Erm one thing that I really wanna go to some of these games and right now I cannot do that, you know walking all that way and walking up the steps, it’s just not possible, and I look forward to going to the games, to the games, cause of a lot of times Joe will go by himself, and it’s just, it’s sad’ (Amelia, 158-162)

Social relationships are often strained as a result of obesity. Amelia has expressed her inadequacy in caring for her partner and guilt as she cannot attend the games with him. This guilt may be another motivation for her to have the procedure. Also, Roberta has a similar desire that she needs not to explain herself to anyone.

Unique events and psychological aspects linked to obesity

This subtheme describes the participants’ personal experiences with obesity and the psychological aspects attached to this. All participants experienced a feeling of shame, embarrassment and stigma and recounted some memorable and moments they have received. For instance, Amelia records how she was treated during her childhood:

‘I get a lot of you to know the stares and the laughs and all that and yeah its horrible and it, it bothers me, makes me angry more than anything but I’ve just had to learn how to let it go’ (Amelia, 28-31)

This distinct description of a traumatizing event is unique but common to the other participant. They gave vivid descriptions of what it truly feels like to be within their scope and how others treat them assault of this. This population of people is often stigmatized for the weight that society deems undesirable, making it harder for obese people to seek the help they require. This stigma could also be portrayed in opinion between society and other people on the definition of obesity.

Discussion and Conclusion

This study aimed to learn more about the experiences of people who are about to undertake bariatric surgery. According to the findings, the participants’ desire to undergo bariatric surgery was influenced by several factors. Physical limitations of daily life, improved fitness, and improved social interactions are some of these causes. Furthermore, their particular experiences and the psychological attacks that came with them may have played a role. Obesity stigma is widespread, and it is also the cause of many psychological health issues in this context. Participants have shared feelings of being mistaken and discriminated against for reasons they think are beyond their power. The idea of inspiring obese individuals to adopt healthy habits and beliefs is also used to justify weight social stigma. However, according to Puhl and Heuer (2010), stigmatization is not a healthy method for reducing obesity; rather, it often obstructs measures and becomes a social justice problem. Brink suggests that prejudice extends to the individuals they may associate with and is industrialized by price increases in clothes, sizing in public transportation, which creates stigma and humiliation as they are unable to fit in a ‘normal’ size seat and can also be reinforced by racism by depictions of obese people as gluttons (1994). Obese individuals are often considered lazy, but evidence suggests that morbid obesity is often the product of a genetic origin rather than overeating (Owens, 2003). The participants in this study all described situations in which they feel misunderstood and humiliated in public due to socially unacceptable behaviors. As a consequence of being shunned, the respondents realized the importance of giving moral care and honesty to one another.

The participants’ hope of seizing control was also high, as they had failed to control their weight using other methods; both respondents saw surgery as a last resort or dramatic measure that was needed to rebuild their lives. External causes, which they claim are the source of their obesity, are partly to blame for their lack of control. Participants appeared to believe they had no influence on their obesity, which is consistent with the findings of Keightley et al. (2011), who suggested that people with obesity were more likely to consider both external and internal factors as causes of their weight issues. This is related to research on the lotus of command and obesity, which suggests that obese individuals have an external lotus of influence in some situations (Flowers et al., 2011).

Obesity is a misunderstood disorder that could be difficult to overcome. It is still unknown whether it is the result of dysfunctional habits or a mixture of them. Throughout all of the themes discussed, the lack of influence is a central factor. The respondents intend to use this outside interference to rebuild their lives and reclaim power. To make a positive contribution to the literature, certain shortcomings in this analysis must be illustrated. As with several other IPA trials, ours may be limited to the particular sample size presented and may not apply to a larger population in the same manner (Alqout & Reynolds, 2013; Ogden, Clementi, & Aylwin, 2006). Furthermore, there may have been any relevant messages in the document that were not highlighted. Further studies into post-operation interactions may aid in comparing the before and after experiences and identifying any important and mutually exclusive trends.

References

Alqout, O., & Reynolds, F. (2013). Meanings of obesity among Saudi Arabian women contemplating bariatric surgery. Journal of Health Psychology, An interpretative phenomenological analysis., 1–14, doi: 10.1177/1359105313476977.

Brink, P. J. (1994). Stigma and Obesity. Clinical Nursing Research, 3(4), 291-293.

Flowers, P., Davis, M. M., Larkin, M., Church, S., & Marriott, C. (2011). Understanding the impact of HIV diagnosis amongst gay men in Scotland: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Psychology & Health, 26(10), 1378-1391, doi: 10.1080/08870446.2010.551213.

Keightley, J., Chur-Hansen, A., Princi, R., & Wittert, G. A. (2011). Perceptions of obesity in self and others. Obes Res Clin Pract., 5(4), 267-360, doi: 10.1016/j.orcp.2011.03.013.

Ogden, J., Clementi, C., & Aylwin, S. (2006). The impact of obesity surgery and the paradox of control: A qualitative study. Psychology & Health, 21(2), 273-293, doi: 10.1080/14768320500129064.

Owens, T. M. (2003). Morbid obesity: the disease and comorbidities. Crit Care Nurs Q., 26(2), 162-165, doi: 10.1097/00002727-200304000-00011.

Puhl, R., & Heuer, C. (2010). The stigma of obesity: A review and update. Obesity, 17, 941–964.

Smith, J., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.

Wilde, D., & Murray, C. D. (2010). Interpreting the Anomalous: Finding Meaning in Out-of-Body and Near-Death Experiences. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 7(1), 57-72, doi: 10.1080/14780880903304550.