The mediating role of self-critical rumination in the relationship between disordered eating behaviors and self-compassion levels among university students

This study examines the relationships between self-compassion, self-critical rumination, and disordered eating behaviors among university students in emerging adulthood. It also evaluates the mediating role of self-critical rumination between self-compassion and disordered eating behaviors. The sample consists of 498 university students aged 18-25, actively studying in 95 different departments across 46 different cities. Participants were administered the Informed Consent Form, Socio-demographic Information Form, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, Self-Critical Rumination Scale, and Self-Compassion Scale, in that order. It was found that women scored significantly higher than men in both eating disorders and self-critical rumination. Participants who were dissatisfied with their weight had higher scores for eating disorders and self-critical rumination, and significantly lower scores for self-compassion, compared to those who were satisfied with their weight. Additionally, participants with chronic illnesses had higher scores for eating disorders and self-critical rumination compared to those without chronic illnesses. Individuals whose goal for gaining or losing weight was to look good/fit had statistically higher scores for eating disorders and self-critical rumination, and lower scores for self-compassion, compared to those whose goal was to live a healthy life. According to the results of one-way analysis of variance, eating disorder scores differed significantly according to body mass index (BMI) groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese). Underweight individuals had significantly lower eating disorder scores compared to other groups, while obese individuals had significantly higher eating disorder scores compared to other groups. The findings of the study indicate that self-compassion negatively predicts disordered eating behaviors and self-critical rumination, while self-critical rumination positively predicts disordered eating behaviors. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis results show that self-critical rumination is a significant predictor of disordered eating behaviors beyond control variables (weight satisfaction, psychiatric diagnosis other than eating disorder, chronic illness, gender) and the self-compassion variable. Moreover, a simple mediation model was examined, and it was found that self-critical rumination mediates the relationship between self-compassion and disordered eating behaviors. The findings were discussed in comparison with the literature, and the contributions and limitations of the study to the field were addressed.