Attachment anxiety is associated with a fear of becoming fat, which is mediated by binge eating.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Previous work demonstrated that individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety are prone to increased binge eating (Alexander & Siegel, 2013). Given that our society rejects obese individuals and individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety tend to be highly sensitive to rejection (Downey & Feldman, 1996), it follows that those with increased attachment anxiety may be especially fearful of becoming fat.Methods
Undergraduate psychology students (n = 148) completed surveys measuring attachment, binge eating, and fear of becoming fat.Results
The data demonstrate that attachment anxiety is positively associated with a fear of becoming fat (? = .30, p < .001) and binge eating mediates this relationship. In other words, binge eating underlies the fear of becoming fat.Discussion
These findings contribute to a more refined understanding of binge eating which may create pathways for professionals to develop targeted interventions.
SUBMITTER: Alexander KE
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5345385 | biostudies-literature | 2017
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Attachment anxiety is associated with a fear of becoming fat, which is mediated by binge eating.
PeerJ 20170308
<h4>Background</h4>Previous work demonstrated that individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety are prone to increased binge eating (Alexander & Siegel, 2013). Given that our society rejects obese individuals and individuals with higher levels of attachment anxiety tend to be highly sensitive to rejection (Downey & Feldman, 1996), it follows that those with increased attachment anxiety may be especially fearful of becoming fat.<h4>Methods</h4>Undergraduate psychology students (<i>n</i> = ...[more]
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