Irrational beliefs and social appearance anxiety as a predictors of emotional eating among late adolescents

Objective: The main purpose of the following study is determining the predictive effect of irrational beliefs and social appearance anxiety on emotional eating behavior among late adolescence individuals. Besides, the total scores of the variables are examined whether irrational beliefs, social appearance anxiety and emotional eating differs by gender. Also it was controlled thatwhether age, body mass index and social media use is predicted to social appearance anxiety. Method: 297 participants, age range between 18-24, were included in the study. The data obtained from the participants were collected by: Socio-Demographic Information Form, General Attitude and Beliefs Scale (Short Form), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale and Emotional Eating Scale. Results: As a result of the statistical analysis performed with the data obtained, it was concluded that irrational beliefs and social appearance anxiety significantly and positively predicted emotional eating. As a result of the analysis performed with socio-demographic data, it was found that irrational beliefs, social appearance anxiety and emotional eating do not differ due to gender. It was also observed that age, body mass index and social media use variables did not have a predictive effect on social appearance anxiety. Conclusion: The findings of our study are believed to contribute to the Turkish literature by shedding light on the relationship between irrational beliefs, social appearance anxiety and emotional eating variables.