Psychological profile of the bariatric surgery candidates in a spanish hospital in 2020: a descriptive study

IntroductionPrevious research has found that candidates for bariatric surgery usually present anxiety, depression, personality disorders and/or a tendency to binge eating. The situation related with the pandemic and the lockdowns during the 2020 are possible aggravating factors for these characteristics.ObjectivesTo study the more important psychological characteristics presented by candidates for bariatric surgery.Methods40 people between 29 and 65 years old (M=46.4, SD=9.1; 37.5% male, 62.5% female) were evaluated between July and December of 2020. The assessment consisted in an interview carried out by a clinical psychologist, and a pool of questionnaires to evaluate depression and anxiety symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI; and the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, GADS) the existence of a binge eating pattern (the Binge Eating Scale; BES) and personality traits (the Salamanca Screening Test).ResultsThe 25% of the sample had previous mental health antecedents. Eight people disclosed to feel stress in relation with the COVID-19, and 18 presented an emotional regulation strategy using food during the lockdown. 62.5% scored above the cut-off point on the BDI (mild=27.5%, moderate=20%, severe=15%) and a 40% and a 47.5% did it for the anxiety and the depression (respectively) GADS subscales. 20% presented a binge eating pattern according with the BES. Most common personality traits were histrionic (50%), emotionally unstable impulsive type (45%), and anxious (42.5%).ConclusionsThese findings support the previous scientific literature. Psychological intervention programs may be considered to guarantee the surgery’s success, especially when adverse contextual circumstances are presented.DisclosureNo significant relationships.