Date of Conferral

4-22-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Patti Barrows

Abstract

The Hawaiian Islands have an alarming concentration of obesity and related chronic health issues and many Native Hawaiian women do not have access to culturally sensitive weight loss information. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to increase understanding of the lived experiences of middle-aged Native Hawaiian women, relating to weight loss, weight management, and the impact of social support and cultural factors on those experiences. The conceptual framework for the study included the models of social support and social networks. A phenomenological research design and purposeful sampling were used to conduct semistructured interviews with eight middle-aged Native Hawaiian women, who were overweight with BMI of 25 or higher and had experienced past failure to lose weight permanently. Data collection and analysis followed Moustakas’ data analysis process. The study illuminated that some narratives of some Native Hawaiian women’s weight management efforts are multifaceted, culture-specific, and connected to past and ongoing traumas. The key results indicated that a lack of perceived social support may have shaped these women’s health behavior, mental health, and health outcomes in negative ways. The participants shared their strong distrust in the medical establishment and their experiences of not feeling seen or heard, but they also demonstrated their resilience through strong sense of kuleana and by using positive self-affirmations. Findings of this study may benefit clinical and health psychology practitioners who plan weight loss interventions and weight maintenance support for Native Hawaiian women, leading to potential positive social change by providing a deeper understanding of the unique barriers experienced by this population.

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