Disordered eating in the context of Self-determination theory

Abstract

The concept of self-determination has been found to be substantial in the context of disordered eating among women. There is a need to explore this concept deeper with the key role of body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight control, while addressing both genders. For the prevention and early detection of disordered eating it is important to also investigate the risk factors in a non-clinical research sample. The aim of this work is to explain disordered eating while considering the role of body dissatisfaction, unhealthy weight control, basic psychological needs (general level of self-determination) and the regulation of eating behaviour (contextual level of self-determination). Three hundred two university students (52.3% of women, Mage = 21, SD = 2.15) reported on the explored variables. SEM was performed. The model fitted the data well and was statistically equivalent for men and women. As hypothesized, body dissatisfaction and unhealthy weight control were positively associated with disordered eating. The results have sustained the protective role of self-determination concept, mainly by revealing a negative indirect association between psychological needs and disordered eating. Unexpectedly, the autonomous regulation of eating correlated positively with disordered eating. In comparison to previous findings, this indicates that the autonomous motivation of eating may have a different effect on various types of disordered eating. This work provides a significant contribution to the exploration of disordered eating while emphasizing self-determination in general and at a contextual level. It could be beneficial in the prevention of disordered eating among university students of both genders, regarding the protective role of psychological needs.