title: Evaluating the indirect effect of self-compassion on binge eating severity through cognitive-affective self-regulatory pathways.
abstract: Current theory and evidence point to disruptions in self-concept and difficulties with emotion regulation as contributing to the severity of binge eating. Alternatively, contemporary perspectives on self-compassion suggest that individual differences in this adaptive approach to self-regulation may serve to counteract these cognitive-affective triggers presumably resulting in reductions in binge eating severity. Accordingly, the present cross-sectional analysis examined an indirect effect model of positive dimensions of self-compassion on binge eating severity through both emotional tolerance and unconditional self-acceptance pathways. Two hundred fifteen undergraduate students (78% female) completed self-report measures of the variables of interest; BMI was calculated from self-reported heights and weights. Pearson's correlations revealed a positive linear association between self-compassion and unconditional self-acceptance; negative links were observed between self-compassion and emotional intolerance along with the severity of binge eating symptoms. A subsequent multiple mediator analysis utilizing both normal test theory and robust non-parametric bootstrap resampling procedures confirmed the presence of a significant total indirect effect of self-compassion on binge eating severity (-.15, p<0.001) through the combined mediators along with yielding specific indirect effects for both emotional tolerance (-.05, p<0.05) and unconditional self-acceptance (-.11, p<0.01) which were preserved in a model adjusted for BMI. Preliminary results underscore the need to further evaluate the tenability of this model in both prospective cohort and intervention-based research. Findings additionally invite considering the value of integrating self-compassion training into college health promotion efforts towards mitigating the appreciable levels of binge eating behavior prevalent in this at-risk population.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Psychology, Health Psychology Ph.D. Program, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. jennifer.webb@uncc.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Mallory J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Forman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D002032:Bulimia / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult