Sahar Khoshsorour; Niloufar Mikaeili
Abstract
Introduction: Rapid cross-cultural social changes in recent decades highlight the necessity of considering the role of psychosocial factors in the eating attitudes and behaviors of the new generation. This study aimed to predict disordered eating attitudes based on social comparison, interpersonal sensitivity ...
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Introduction: Rapid cross-cultural social changes in recent decades highlight the necessity of considering the role of psychosocial factors in the eating attitudes and behaviors of the new generation. This study aimed to predict disordered eating attitudes based on social comparison, interpersonal sensitivity and cognitive flexibility in female students.
Method: This was descriptive research conducted in the framework of correlation studies. The statistical population consisted of all female undergraduate students of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Science and Research Branch in the academic year 98-99 (9944 people), out of whom 200 ones were selected through multistage random sampling method. They completed Eating Attitude Test (Gamer et al, 1982), Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (Gibbons & Buunk, 1999), Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (Boyce & Parker, 1989), and Cognitive flexibility Inventory (Dennis & Vander Wal, 2010). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis.
Results: Findings showed that social comparison (p<0/01, β=0/432) and interpersonal sensitivity (p<0/01, β=0/305) were positively and significantly, and cognitive flexibility (p<0/05, β=-0/143) was negatively and significantly capable of predicting disordered eating attitudes in the students.
Conclusion: With the rising emphasis on fitness in a Western advertisement, the vulnerability of young people to eating disorders has increased. Results of the present study indicate factors such as social comparison, interpersonal sensitivity, and cognitive flexibility effectively influence students' disordered eating attitudes and their psychological and physical health. Since medical therapies alone have temporary effects, further attention to psychosocial factors is recommended in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.