Association between Eating and Emotional Processing in Undergraduate Females

Abstract

The literature on disordered eating behaviors emphasizes the positive and significant correlation with emotional processing difficulties. My study tested if the correlation is specific to the two, or if the correlation decreases with depressive and anxious symptoms as mediators. The Eating Attitudes Test, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Emotional Processing Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale were administered to a group of 104 undergraduate females. Results fully supported the main hypothesis that depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms will have mediating effects on the correlation between disturbed eating attitudes and emotional processing difficulties. The implication is that there should be greater emphasis on reduction of depressive and anxious symptoms when treating eating disorders.