Modeling Spirituality-Inspired Structural Equations of Psychological Capital with the Mediating Role of Body Image among Bariatric Surgery Candidates

The objective of this research endeavor was to construct a structural framework for psychological capital among bariatric surgery candidates, incorporating spirituality as a mediator and body image as a contributing factor. The research methodologyemployed correlational and structural equation analysis to gather data, with a fundamental objective. The statistical population of the study comprises all individuals who were referred to Rasoul Akram Hospital in Tehran for minimally invasive bariatric surgery in the year 2021. A sample size of 250 individuals was determined by means of convenience sampling. The research tools were Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ), Spiritual Questionnaire (SQ) and The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) were the instruments of research. For data analysis, the Person Correlation Coefficient and Structural Equation Modeling were implemented using SPSS Version 26 and LISREL Version 8.8, respectively. The findings indicated that spirituality (β=0.61, p<0.01) and body image (β=0.38, p<0.01) had a statistically significant positive direct effect on psychological capital. Furthermore, the findings indicated that body image played a substantial mediating role in the association between psychological capital and spirituality (β=0.15, p<0.01). According to the present findings, the proposed model exhibited an optimal fit index. Given the significance of spirituality and body image as predictors of psychological capital in this population, preoperative plans for bariatric surgery candidates should incorporate interventions and trainings designed to improve spirituality and body image.