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. 2022 Nov 3:13:995301.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.995301. eCollection 2022.

Effect of body dissatisfaction on binge eating behavior of Chinese university students: A moderated mediation model

Jimin Yan  1 , Haodong Su  2 , Chunlu Li  1   3
Affiliations

Effect of body dissatisfaction on binge eating behavior of Chinese university students: A moderated mediation model

Jimin Yan et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

The relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating behavior has been highlighted by previous studies. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying body dissatisfaction-induced binge eating behavior remain unclear. Here, we further addressed this issue in the framework of the sociocultural model of eating disorders. Firstly, we investigated the mediation effect of perceived stress on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating. Secondly, we examined the moderation role of the self-acceptance and emotion regulation strategies on the indirect effect of body dissatisfaction on binge eating behavior mediated by perceived stress. Data from 903 Chinese university students were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and SPSS PROCESS Macro. Results indicated that perceived stress mediates the relationship between body dissatisfaction and binge eating behavior. Main interactional effects have been observed when self-acceptance and cognitive reappraisal but not expressive suppression are introduced in the model as a moderator. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

Keywords: binge eating behavior; body dissatisfaction; cognitive reappraisal; expressive suppression; perceived stress; self-acceptance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Research model.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Interaction effect of body dissatisfaction and self-acceptance on perceived stress. High and low levels of body dissatisfaction and self-acceptance represent one standard deviation above and below the mean, respectively.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Interaction effect of perceived stress and cognitive reappraisal on binge eating behavior. High and low levels of perceived stress and cognitive reappraisal represent one standard deviation above and below the mean, respectively.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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