The investigation of the relationship between attachment style and eating behavior and body image

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of attachment style on individuals' eating behavior and body image. The study was conducted with 348 women and 152 men who were selected randomly on the basis of volunteerism from women and men that are 18 years and over 18 years old from Istanbul. Relationship Scales Questionnaire, Body Cathexis Scale and Eating Behavior Scale were used as data collection tools and Personal Information Form was created by the investigator. The study shows that the level of preoccupied attachment of men was higher than the level of preoccupied attachment of women and furthermore the more their age increased, the more their preoccupied attachment level decreased. It is determined that both the eating behavior and fearful attachment levels of single individuals were higher than married individuals. It is seen that, the level of fearful attachment of divorced individuals was higher than married individuals. The level of fearful attachment of individuals who graduated from high school was higher than graduate and post graduated individuals. The level of fearful attachment of individuals from under graduated levels was higher than graduate and post graduate levels. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of other socio-demographic characteristics in the study. It is found that as the level of individuals' body image increases, the level of secure attachment increases. It is also seen that as individuals' body image levels increased, fearful and preoccupied attachment levels decreased. As the levels of eating behaviors of individuals increased, fearful and dismissing attachment levels also increased.