title: The effect of parental rejection on the emotional eating behaviour of youngsters: A laboratory-based study.
abstract: Results from survey studies demonstrate a relationship between parental rejection and self-reported emotional eating of youngsters. The aim of the current study was to build on this research by examining the relationship between parental rejection and actual emotional eating, using an experimental laboratory paradigm. Participants were 46 youngsters between the ages of 10 and 17 years old. Participants first completed online questionnaires at home, measuring parental rejection and emotional eating style. At the laboratory, participants were randomly assigned to a neutral condition or negative mood condition, followed by a multi-item snack buffet. The interaction effect maternal rejection × condition on energy intake from savoury food was significant. More maternal rejection predicted more energy intake from savoury food in the negative mood condition, but not in the neutral condition. The results highlight the importance of assessing, and if mandatory, improving the emotional bond between parent and child in the prevention and intervention of emotional eating.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Julie.Vandewalle@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vandewalle
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moens
authors.affiliation: Department of Parenting and Special Education, KU Leuven, Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bosmans
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Braet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D004644:Emotions; D002149:Energy Intake; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D020407:Internet; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D057566:Self Report; D062410:Snacks / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Adolescents; Emotional eating; Energy-intake; Laboratory; Parental rejection