Health Related Quality of Life After Gastric Bypass Surgery

The majority of studies which have evaluated health related quality of life are limited in the duration of follow up. The objective of this study was to prospectively conduct an evaluation using a repeated cross sectional analysis of separate patient cohorts who were up to four years after gastric bypass surgery. Adult Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients were recruited to the study. All patients were requested to complete a general health status questionnaire, the Short Form-36 (SF-36), before surgery or at their post operative out patient follow up visits. Patient weight was documented at each follow up visit. A cross sectional analysis was performed to evaluate SF-36 scores in each annual cohort. Data are reported as mean +/− S.D. Three-hundred-eight patients completed at least one SF-36 assessment [Initial assessment at the time of surgery, time 1, n = 245, 1y n = 149, 2y n = 70, 3y n = 59, 4y n = 61]. The SF-36 scores were greater (p < 0.05) in each of the separate post surgery cohorts for physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, social functioning, pain, vitality, general health and the physical component summary (PCS) scores. While not comparing changes in scores within individuals over time, these data suggest early improvement especially in the physical dimension of health related quality of life. In this analysis, this finding was also observed in each of the separate cohorts up to 4 years after gastric bypass surgery.     

Brands as intentional agents framework: How perceived intentions and ability can map brand perception

Building on the Stereotype Content Model, this paper introduces and tests the Brands as Intentional Agents Framework. A growing body of research suggests that consumers have relationships with brands that resemble relations between people. We propose that consumers perceive brands in the same way they perceive people. This approach allows us to explore how social perception theories and processes can predict brand purchase interest and loyalty. Brands as Intentional Agents Framework is based on a well-established social perception approach: the Stereotype Content Model. Two studies support the Brands as Intentional Agents Framework prediction that consumers assess a brand's perceived intentions and ability and that these perceptions elicit distinct emotions and drive differential brand behaviors. The research shows that human social interaction relationships translate to consumer–brand interactions in ways that are useful to inform brand positioning and brand communications.     

Brands as intentional agents: Our response to commentaries

We are grateful for the stimulating and hospitable welcome to us as guests in consumer psychology. As sojourners, we share a keen interest, but know that we come to visit without knowing the territory intimately. Granted, Chris Malone is an experienced, senior marketing practitioner who now owns a research-based consulting firm with a particular interest and specialization in this area. In addition, Nicolas Kervyn, trained as an experimental social psychologist, has worked and consulted in marketing. Susan Fiske, trained as an experimental social psychologist, had kibitzed in consumer psychology since she first served on the JCP board as an assistant professor. However, none of us has imperialist ambitions in consumer psychology. We are happy nonetheless to offer our framework as what seems to us a potentially useful complement to prior and ongoing related work. These exceptionally thoughtful commentaries broaden and inform our framework (Kervyn, Fiske, & Malone, 2012--this issue). In return, we offer some responses regarding our own view of the Brands as Intentional Agents Framework (BIAF), its parent, the Stereotype Content Model (SCM), and relationships with the commentators’ own contributions.