Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Purpose: Few studies have investigated the potential relationship between self-compassion and eating behaviors. Self-compassion has been shown to improve one’s ability to respond more effectively to various situations and stressors by embracing the constructs of self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. This study examined correlations between self-compassion, eating behaviors and stress in first-time college freshmen.
Methods: First-time freshmen (N=1477), ages 18-22 years (63% female), self-reported measures of Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and Self-Compassion Scale (SCS). Associations among PSS, SCS and TFEQ scores were examined with Pearson correlations by gender. Differences by gender were explored with t-tests.
Results: There were significant (p < 0.01) correlations between disinhibition and negative SCS constructs (self-judgment, r = 0.29; isolation, r = 0.23; over-identification, r = 0.28) and restraint and self-judgment in females (r = 0.26). Females scored significantly higher than males on PSS and negative SCS subscales (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Interventions increasing self-compassion and reducing stress may optimally support psychological and behavioral wellbeing as students transition into college. Future research needs to understand how self-compassion interventions may attenuate the inimical cycle of dietary restraint and disinhibition in university students.
References
Dyson R, Renk K. Freshmen adaptation to university life: Depressive symptoms, stress, and coping. J Clin Psychol 2006; 62: 1231-1244. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20295
Neely ME, Schallert DL, Mohammed SS, Roberts RM, Chen Y. Self-kindness when facing stress: The role of self-compassion, goal regulation, and support in college students’ well-being. Motiv Emotion 2009; 33: 88-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11031-008-9119-8
Sasaki M, Yamasaki K. Stress coping and the adjustment process among university freshmen. Couns Psychol Q 2007; 20:51-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09515070701219943
Delinsky S, Wilson TG. Weight gain, dietary restraint, and disordered eating in the freshman year of college. Eating Behaviors 2008; 9: 82-90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2007.06.001
Berg KC, Frazier P, Sherr L. Change in eating disorder attitudes and behavior in college women: Prevalence and predictors. Eating Behaviors 2009; 10: 137-142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2009.03.003
Stunkard AJ, Messick S. The three-factor eating questionnaire to measure dietary restraint, disinhibition and hunger. J Psychosomatic Res 1985; 29: 71-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(85)90010-8
Bray SR, Born HA. Transition to university and vigorous physical activity: Implications for health and psychological well-being. J Am Coll Health 2004; 52: 181-188. http://dx.doi.org/10.3200/JACH.52.4.181-188
Cluskey M, Grobe D. College weight gain and behavior transitions: Male and female differences. J Am Diet Assoc 2009; 109: 325-329. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2008.10.045
Greeno CG, Wing RR. Stress-induced eating. Psychol Bull 1994; 115: 444-64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.115.3.444
Neff KD. The role of self-compassion in development: A healthier way to relate to oneself. Hum Dev 2009; 52: 211-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000215071
Neff KD, Kirkpatrick KL, Rude SS. Self-compassion and adaptive psychological functioning. J Res Pers 2007; 41: 139-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2006.03.004
Neff KD. Self-compassion: an alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self Identity 2003; 2: 85-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032
Gilbert P. Compassion and cruelty: a biopsychosocial approach. In Gilbert P, Editor. Compassion: Conceptualizations, research and use in psychotherapy. London: Routledge 2005; pp. 9-74.
Selye H. A syndrome produced by diverse nocuous agents. Nature 1936; 138: 32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/138032a0
Lazarus RS, Folkman S. Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Routledge 1984.
Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Socl Behav 1983; 24: 385-396. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2136404
Van Eck MM, Nicolson NA. Perceived stress and salivary cortisol in daily life. Ann Behav Med 1994; 16: 221-227.
Roberti JW, Harrington LN, Storch EA. Further psychometric support for the 10-item version of the perceived stress scale. J Coll Counsel 2006; 9: 135-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1882.2006.tb00100.x
Neff KD. The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self Identity 2003; 2: 223-250. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027
SAS Version 9.2; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA 2009.
Weathington BL, Cunningham CJL, Pittinger DJ. Research Methods for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey 2010; pp. 299-310.
Hays NP, Bathalon GP, McCrory MA, Roubenoff R, Lipman R, Roberts SB. Eating behavior correlates of adult weight gain and obesity in healthy women aged 55-65 y. Am J Clin Nutr 2002; 75: 476-83.
Thomas JJ, Vartanian LR, Brownell KD. The relationship between eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and officially recognized eating disorders: meta-analysis and implications for DSM. Psychol Bull 2009; 135: 407-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0015326
Adams CE, Leary MR. Promoting self-compassionate attitudes toward eating among restrictive and guilty eaters. J Soc Clin Psychol 2007; 26: 1120-1144. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2007.26.10.1120
American Psychological Association, [Press Release
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2016 Dara James, Ann Sebren, Cheryl DerAnanian, Meg Bruening, Laura Rooney, Teresa Araas , Pamela D. Swan