Life Experiences Scale
Please read the following letter in its entirety before answering the surveys. It contains information regarding your rights if you decide to participate in this study. You have been invited to participate in a research project being conducted by Deb Esty, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Baldwin-Wallace College. The purpose of this study is to devise a measure of weight discrimination experiences, and it is our hope that we will be able to have over 500 people participate. If the measure if validated, it could be used in a similar manner to other measures of discrimination experiences, such as examining the relation of such experiences to physical and mental health.
In order to participate in the study, you will need to answer the surveys following. The entire survey may take you anywhere from 30-45 minutes to complete.
As a participant in this research, you have several rights. First, many of the questions included in this survey ask about personal and possibly sensitive areas. Therefore, you have the right to stop answering the surveys at any time and withdraw from the study. If you do experience any discomfort that you would like help coping with, we have included a list of resources for you: www.naafa.org, or www.sizediversityandhealth.org. Second, you have the right to anonymity. Please do not use your name in any of the survey answers. In addition, to ensure anonymity, we will not ask for your signature that you agree to participate in this study.
Instead, the completion and submission of the surveys to the researchers will be your way of giving your consent to participate in the study.
In addition to possible risks, there may be benefits from participating in this study. First, it is a chance for you to voice your possible experiences with discrimination experiences that have targeted you just because of your size. Furthermore, although it is not a direct benefit, your participation in this research may help us understand weight discrimination experiences better and the possible associations of these experiences.
To thank you for taking the time to complete this survey, you can opt to be included in a raffle for one of two $50.00 gift cards to Amazon.com. To ensure your anonymity, please send and email with your name and contact information to discres@bw.edu. Your contact information will be kept confidential, and collected separately from any data collected. This separate contact information will not be released or published anywhere.
Again, remember that your participation in this study is voluntary. You may withdraw at any time.
If you have questions about this study, you may call Dr. Esty at (440) 826-2094 or email her at desty@bw.edu. This project has been reviewed and approved by The Human Subjects Review Board at Baldwin-Wallace College. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, you may call Dr. Mary Toale at (440) 826-5908.
I have read the information provided above and all my questions have been answered. I voluntarily agree to participate in this study. My completion and submission of this survey will serve as my consent. I have been given a copy of this consent form for future reference.
_______________________________________________________
Please indicate the correct response:
Gender
Male
Female
Race
Black/African American
South Asian American/ East Asian American/ Asian American
Caucasian
Latino(a)/Hispanic
Native American
Biracial/Multiracial
Other:
Sexual Orientation
Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual
Heterosexual
Questioning
Highest Level of Education
Some High School
High School Diploma/GED
Some College
Associate's Degree
College Degree
Master's Level
Doctorate
Trade School/Technical School
How would you describe yourself?
Working Class/Blue Collar
Middle Class
Upper Class
Do you smoke currently?
Yes
No
Currently, do you have any of the following health problems?
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes
Heart Disease
Chest Pains due to Angina
Cancer
TB
Overactive Thyroid
Underactive Thyroid
Joint Trauma (E.g. Knee Pain)
Osteoporosis
In the past, have you been diagnosed with any of the following health problems?
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes
Heart Disease
Chest Pains due to Angina
Cancer
TB
Overactive Thyroid
Underactive Thyroid
Joint Trauma (E.g. Knee Pain)
Osteoporosis
Please answer the following questions. Putting a weight down may carry a strong emotion, but please fill out the following as it is neccessary to our study.
What is your current height?
What is your current weight?
What has been your highest weight ever, excluding pregnancy?
When was this?
What has been your lowest weight since the age of 18?
When was this?
_______________________________________________________
The following measure is designed to ask about some possible life experiences where
someone else has viewed fatness in a negative way and imposed that view on you, either directly or indirectly.
You may have had these experiences whether or not you have always been the same weight or whether your weight has fluctuated. What is important is
whether or not YOU have perceived the experiences as having happened.
You will be asked about the occurrence of these experiences based on two time scales: over your lifetime and over the last year. When answering the following questions please use the following scale:
Select 1 = the experience has NEVER happened to you
Select 2 = the experience happened RARELY (less than 20% of the time)
Select 3 = the experience happened SOMETIMES (21-40% of the time)
Select 4 = the experience happened A LOT (41-60% of the time)
Select 5 = the experience happened MOST OF THE TIME (61-80% of the time)
Select 6 = the experience happened ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME (more than 80%)
Please keep in mind that the first scale corresponds to events that have occurred in the past year. The second scale corresponds to events that have happened in your lifetime.
I have been stared at in a public place (e.g. restaurant, public transportation, store) like I did not belong.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have received negative comments or been called names (e.g. called fatty, fatso, lard, piggy).
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have been shown discourtesy or been treated with disrespect by people in service jobs (e.g. store clerks, wait staff, bartenders, bank tellers, mechanics).
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have been shown discourtesy or been treated with disrespect by people in health-related jobs (e.g. doctors, nurses, counselors/psychologists, technicians).
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have had health professionals blame non-weight-related health problems on my weight (e.g. propose weight loss surgeries on visits where weight was not of primary concern, propose weight loss as remedy for non-related health concerns).
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Just as a reminder, when answering the following questions please use the following scale:
Select 1 = the experience has NEVER happened to you
Select 2 = the experience happened RARELY (less than 20% of the time)
Select 3 = the experience happened SOMETIMES (21-40% of the time)
Select 4 = the experience happened A LOT (41-60% of the time)
Select 5 = the experience happened MOST OF THE TIME (61-80% of the time)
Select 6 = the experience happened ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME (more than 80%)
Please keep in mind that the first scale corresponds to events that have occurred in the past year. The second scale corresponds to events that have happened in your lifetime.
I have had the experience of going to a health professional and not having physical equipment that fits me (e.g. gowns, toilets for urine specimens, blood pressure cuffs, needles/tourniquets).
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have been given weight-related advice that was not useful, helpful or realistic from a health professional.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have felt shame or have been subjected to shame upon going to a health professional.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have avoided going to a health professional because weight would be a focus.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have been denied medical care or insurance coverage simply due to my weight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Just as a reminder, when answering the following questions please use the following scale:
Select 1 = the experience has NEVER happened to you
Select 2 = the experience happened RARELY (less than 20% of the time)
Select 3 = the experience happened SOMETIMES (21-40% of the time)
Select 4 = the experience happened A LOT (41-60% of the time)
Select 5 = the experience happened MOST OF THE TIME (61-80% of the time)
Select 6 = the experience happened ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME (more than 80%)
Please keep in mind that the first scale corresponds to events that have occurred in the past year. The second scale corresponds to events that have happened in your lifetime.
I have changed health professionals due to weight-related comments made that were unrelated to my primary health concerns.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have had doctors insist I lose weight before performing an operation that was not related to weight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Due to other people’s ideas of what is acceptable regarding weight, I have been passed over for a job or project even though I was equally or more qualified than the person given the task.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have had others try to punish me or control me in some way due to my weight (e.g. restrict my food intake, tell me they would do something for me if I lost weight).
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Due to others' ideas about what is acceptable regarding weight, I have had to take extra steps (e.g. filing a grievance, filing a law suit, quitting a job, moving away) to be treated fairly.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Just as a reminder, when answering the following questions please use the following scale:
Select 1 = the experience has NEVER happened to you
Select 2 = the experience happened RARELY (less than 20% of the time)
Select 3 = the experience happened SOMETIMES (21-40% of the time)
Select 4 = the experience happened A LOT (41-60% of the time)
Select 5 = the experience happened MOST OF THE TIME (61-80% of the time)
Select 6 = the experience happened ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME (more than 80%)
Please keep in mind that the first scale corresponds to events that have occurred in the past year. The second scale corresponds to events that have happened in your lifetime.
I have avoided physical activity because I could not fit into clothing (e.g. workout gear, bathing suit).
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Due to others’ ideas about what is acceptable regarding weight, I have avoided physical activity because I did not want to feel self-conscious.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have avoided physical activity because the activities available to me were not paced for, or movements were not geared for, bodies my size.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have avoided making changes in my life (e.g. getting a new job, going to school, dating) due to the feeling others would judge me due to my weight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have had difficulty with access to public places (e.g. bathroom stalls, waiting areas, chairs in offices/classrooms/restaurants, public transportation, turnstiles).
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Just as a reminder, when answering the following questions please use the following scale:
Select 1 = the experience has NEVER happened to you
Select 2 = the experience happened RARELY (less than 20% of the time)
Select 3 = the experience happened SOMETIMES (21-40% of the time)
Select 4 = the experience happened A LOT (41-60% of the time)
Select 5 = the experience happened MOST OF THE TIME (61-80% of the time)
Select 6 = the experience happened ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME (more than 80%)
Please keep in mind that the first scale corresponds to events that have occurred in the past year. The second scale corresponds to events that have happened in your lifetime.
I have not gone to social gatherings due to fear others would make comments about my weight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have had others tell me they do not want to be in a romantic relationship with me due to what they thought was acceptable regarding weight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have had others assume I was without sexual desire or activity due to what they thought was acceptable regarding weight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have had others leave me out of social functions due to their ideas of what was acceptable regarding weight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
I have had others tell me I could NOT be sexually desirable or attractive due to their ideas of what was acceptable regarding weight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
_______________________________________________________
The questions in this scale ask you about your feelings and thoughts during the last month. In each case, you will be asked to indicate how often you felt or thought a certain way. Although some of the questions are similar, there are differences between them and you should treat each one as a separate question. The best approach is to answer each question fairly quickly. That is, don’t try to count up the number of times you felt a particular way, but rather indicate the alternative that seems like a reasonable estimate.
For each question choose from the following alternatives:
0 – Never
1 – Almost never
2 – Sometimes
3 – Fairly often
4 – Very often
In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and “stressed”?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you dealt successfully with irritating life hassles?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you felt that you were effectively coping with important changes that were occurring in your life?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that happened that were outside of your control?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you found yourself thinking about things that you have to accomplish?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you been able to control the way you spend your time?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?
Never
Almost never
Sometimes
Fairly often
Very often
_______________________________________________________
We are interested in how people cope with problems and troubles in their lives. Listed below are several possible ways of coping. We would like you to indicate to what extent you, yourself, used each of these coping methods. All of your responses will remain anonymous. Again, think of the previously described experiences related to
how someone else has viewed fatness in a negative way and imposed that view on you, either directly or indirectly.
With this problem in mind, select how you coped by checking the appropriate box for each coping behavior listed on the following questions. Answer each and every question even though some may sound similar.
Keeping that stressful event in mind, indicate to what extent you...
Let your feelings out to a friend?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Rearranged things around you so that your problem had the best chance of being resolved?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Brainstormed all possible solutions before deciding what to do?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Tried to distract yourself from the problem?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Accepted sympathy and understanding from someone?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Did all you could to keep others from seeing how bad things really were?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Talked to people about the situation because talking about it helped you feel better?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Set some goals for yourself to deal with the situation?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Weighed your options very carefully?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Daydreamed about better times?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Tried different ways to solve the problem until you found one that worked?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Confided your fears and worries to a friend or relative?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Spent more time than usual alone?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Told people about the situation because just talking about it helped you to come up with solutions?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Thought about what needed to be done to straighten things out?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Turned your full attention to solving the problem?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Formed a plan of action in your mind?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Watched television more than usual?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Went to someone (friend or professional) in order to help you feel better?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Stood firm and fought for what you wanted in the situation?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Avoided being with people in general?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Buried yourself in a hobby or sports activity to avoid the problem?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Went to a friend to help you feel better about the problem?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Went to a friend for advice on how to change the situation?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Accepted sympathy and understanding from friends who had the same problem?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Slept more than usual?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Fantasized about how things could have been different?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Identified with characters in novels or movies?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Tried to solve the problem?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Wished that people would just leave you alone?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Accepted help from a friend or relative?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Sought reassurance from those who know you best?
A lot
A little
Not at all
Tried to carefully plan a course of action rather than acting on impulse?
A lot
A little
Not at all
_______________________________________________________
These questions are about how you feel and how things have been with you during the past month. For each question, please select the correct response that comes closest to the way you have been feeling.
How happy, satisfied, or pleased have you been with your personal life during the past month?
Extremely happy, could not have been more satisfied or pleased
Very happy, most of the time
Generally satisfied, pleased
Sometimes very satisfied, sometimes fairly unhappy
A little depressed
Not depressed at all
During the past month, how much of the time have you generally enjoyed the things you do?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, has your daily life been full of things that were interesting to you?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time have you felt loved and wanted?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, have you been a very nervous person?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time did you feel depressed?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time have you felt tense or "high-strung"?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time have you been in firm control of your behavior, thoughts, emotions, feelings?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time did you become confused and start several actions at a time?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time did you feel that you had nothing to look forward to?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, have you felt calm and peaceful?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, have you felt emotionally stable?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, have you felt downhearted and blue?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How often have you felt like crying during the past month?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
During the past month, how often did you feel that others would be better off if you were dead?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
During the past month, how much of the time did you feel that your love relationships, loving and being loved, were full and complete?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much have you been bothered by nervousness, or your "nerves", during the past month?
Extremely so, to the point where I could not take care of things
Very much bothered
Bothered quite a bit
Bothered some, enough to notice
Bothered just a little
Not bothered at all
During the past month, how much of the time has living been a wonderful adventure for you?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, have you felt so down in the dumps that nothing could cheer you up?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, did you ever think about taking your own life?
Yes, constantly
Yes, very often
Yes, fairly often
Yes, a couple of times
Yes, once
No, never
During the past month, how much of the time have you felt restless, fidgety, or impatient?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time have you been moody or brooded about things?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how often did you get rattled, upset, or flustered?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
During the past month, how much of the time have you been anxious or worried?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time have you been a happy person?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How often during the past month, did you find yourself having difficulty trying to calm down?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
During the past month, how much of the time have you been in low or very low spirits?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, have you felt cheerful, lighthearted?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, have you felt nervous or jumpy?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
How much of the time, during the past month, have your hands shook when doing things?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how much of the time have you been able to relax without difficulty?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how often have you felt under strain, stress, or pressure?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
During the past month, how much of the time have you felt that nothing turns out like you wanted?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how often have you felt relaxed and free of tension?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
During the past month, how often have you expected an interesting day?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
During the past month, how often have you woken up fresh and rested?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
During the past month, how much of the time have you felt the future was promising, hopeful?
All of the time
Most of the time
A good bit of the time
Some of the time
A little of the time
None of the time
During the past month, how often have you felt lonely?
Always
Very often
Fairly often
Sometimes
Almost never
Never
_______________________________________________________
Please answer the following using this rating scale:
1 = Strongly disagree
2 = Disagree
3 = Slightly disagree
4 = Neither agree or disagree
5 = Slightly agree
6 = Agree
7 = Strongly agree
In most ways, my life is close to my ideal.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The conditions of my life are excellent.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I am satisfied with my life.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
So far, I have gotten the important things I want in my life.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
