Weight stigma in future clinical psychologists: understanding change and core causes
Official title: Weight Stigma among Doctoral Clinical Psychology Students: Examining Change and Testing Underlying Mechanisms.
Funded at Nova Southeastern University · NIH-11379136 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project will study how weight bias develops or changes in doctoral students in clinical psychology and what underlying factors drive it, with the goal of making training more respectful and effective for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nova Southeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Lauderdale-Davie, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM154692-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379136 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Future clinical psychologists in training and, indirectly, the patients they will serve.
✕Less likely to help
Patients may not directly participate in this study, and results may take time to translate into practice.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on how weight stigma appears and shifts during doctoral psychology training. Researchers will examine psychosocial factors and communication styles that influence bias toward people with higher weight. The study aims to identify mechanisms that drive stigma so psychology training can address them directly. The work will involve analyzing training experiences and possibly collecting feedback from students and educators. The ultimate aim is to improve patient-centered care for individuals dealing with weight-related health concerns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, training programs could reduce weight bias among mental health professionals, leading to better patient experiences and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Existing research suggests healthcare training can influence bias, but the specific dynamics in clinical psychology training are not yet fully known.
Where this research is happening
-
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brochu, Paula — Nova Southeastern University
- Study coordinator: Brochu, Paula
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.