title: An integrative affect regulation process model of internalized weight bias and intuitive eating in college women.
abstract: The present study extended the weight stigma and well-being process model (Tylka et al., 2014) by examining three affect regulation pathways that may help simultaneously explain the predicted inverse association between internalized weight bias and intuitive eating. A weight-diverse sample of 333 college women completed an online survey assessing internalized weight stigma, intuitive eating, body shame, body image flexibility, and self-compassion. Self-reported height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Non-parametric bootstrap resampling procedures were computed to ascertain the presence of the indirect effects of internalized weight bias on intuitive eating via the three hypothesized mediators controlling for BMI in a combined model. Results demonstrated that body image flexibility significantly and self-compassion marginally contributed unique variance in accounting for this relationship. Our preliminary cross-sectional findings contribute to a nascent body of scholarship seeking to provide a theoretically-driven understanding of how negative and positive forms of experiencing and relating to the body may co-occur within individuals. Results also point to potential target variables to consider incorporating in later-stage efforts to promote more adaptive ways of eating amidst internalized weight stigma.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Charlotte Department of Psychology, USA; University of North Carolina at Charlotte Health Psychology Ph.D. Program, USA. Electronic address: jennifer.webb@uncc.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Charlotte Department of Psychology, USA; University of North Carolina at Charlotte Health Psychology Ph.D. Program, USA.
authors.forename: Abigail S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hardin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004645:Empathy; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D019545:Intuition; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000074286:Preliminary Data; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body image flexibility; Body shame; College women; Internalized weight bias; Intuitive eating; Self-compassion