Emotion Regulation Abilities and Perceived Stress as Predictors of Negative Body Image and Problematic Eating Behaviors in Emerging Adults

Abstract

Body dissatisfaction and problematic eating behaviors are common among emerging adults in college, especially in the Westernized world, suggesting a need for a better understanding of predictors and potential buffers of such negative outcomes. Also, findings from the relative impact of emotion regulation abilities on body image and eating behaviors have been mixed. Thus, the present study investigated the interplay among negative body image cognitions (e.g., thoughts and feelings of dissatisfaction) and maladaptive eating/dieting behaviors, global stress, perceived social support, and two types of emotion regulation abilities (amplification and reduction) in a sample of 95 emerging adults (mean age 18.9-years). Results indicated that negative body image cognitions and maladaptive eating behaviors correlated significantly with perceived ability to regulate negative affect by reducing emotions, but not with emotion regulation amplification abilities. Also, perceived global stress correlated significantly with