The Mediating Effect of Self-Control on Depression and Tendencies of Eating Disorders in Adolescents.

Hong-Juan Li,Jie Li,Tian-He Song,Meng Qi,Jing-Xu Chen

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.690245

Abstract

Self-control is very important for the adaptation among adolescents. It is associated with depression and tendencies of eating disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the two and the mediating role of self-control for adolescents. In total, 1,231 adolescents (11–18 years) participated in this study. Self-control, depression, and tendencies of eating disorders were evaluated using the Dual-Mode of Self-Control Scale (DMSC-S), 11-item Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS-11), and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). The correlations among these factors were analyzed using mediating effect models. Girls had higher scores on the both subscales (impulse system and control system) of DMSC-S (P < 0.001). Those between 15–18 years had higher scores on impulse system than those between 11–14 years (P < 0.001). A significant mediating effect (12.8%) of the impulse system was observed between depression and tendencies of eating disorders in adolescents.

Highlights

Depression is the leading cause of illness and disability among adolescents [1]
This study found that girls had higher scores on the both subscales of Dual-Mode of Self-Control Scale (DMSC-S) than boys
Our study found a high incidence of depression and Eating disorder (ED) among adolescents

Summary

Introduction

Adolescent depressive disorder, which is a group of mental illnesses mainly characterized by negative feelings, may be accompanied by varying degrees of cognitive and behavioral changes, psychotic symptoms, impulsive non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and impulsive suicide, among others [2,3,4,5]. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents was 14.81% [7]. Based on these findings, adolescent depressive disorder can considered to be a common social problem and should be paid more attention. Eating disorder (ED) symptoms are highly prevalent in adolescents and are regarded as one of the most important ED precursors clinically [8]. The lifetime prevalence of AN, BN, and BED was 0.3, 0.9, and 1.6%, respectively [10]

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Conclusion