The relationship of attachment, intolerance to uncertainty, and psychological flexibility with eating attitudes

In the present study, the effects of attachment, intolerance to uncertainty and psychological flexibility levels on individuals' eating attitudes were examined. The study was conducted with 519 participants between the ages of 23-74. Voluntary participation form, demographic information form, Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory II, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Dutch Eating Attitude Scale, and Psychological Flexibility Scale were used in the data collection process. The data collected from the participants were analyzed with the IBM SPSS 23 (Statistical Package for Social Science) program in accordance with the data set. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis were conducted. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationships between variables. According to the results of the analysis, a significant relationship was found between eating attitude and attachment. As individuals' anxious and avoidant attachment levels increased, their eating attitudes were more negatively affected. A significant relationship was found between intolerance to uncertainty and eating attitude. As the level of intolerance to uncertainty increased, the eating attitude was more negatively affected. Finally, there was a significant relationship between psychological flexibility and eating attitude. As the level of psychological flexibility increased, the eating attitude was more positively affected. In addition, a strong negative relationship was found between intolerance of uncertainty and psychological flexibility. As a result of hierarchical regression analysis, it was found that attachment styles, psychological flexibility, and intolerance to uncertainty predicted eating attitude, but their predictive power was not high. It was found that the levels of anxious attachment, intolerance to uncertainty, and psychological flexibility had a predictive power of 18% on the eating attitude. It was found that the levels of avoidant attachment, intolerance to uncertainty, and psychological flexibility had a predictive power of 24% on the eating attitude. The research findings were discussed in line with the relevant literature.