The effect of a cognitive behavioral therapy-based and motivational interviewing-supported psychoeducation program on emotional eating and psychological resilience in individuals with obesity

Objective: This research was conducted to determine the effect of CBT-based and MI-supported psychoeducation on emotional eating and psychological resilience in individuals with obesity. Material and method: This study was conducted using a randomized control-led experimental design. Of the 116 obese individuals who applied to dietitian outpati-ent clinics, 84 who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into experimental (n = 42) and control (n = 42) groups. The study was completed with 81 participants (40 experimental, 41 control). The experimental group received a structured CBT- and MI-based psychoeducation program over eight weeks, while the control group received standard care. Participants' levels of emotional eating and psychological resilience were measured at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a two-month follow-up using the Emotional Eating Scale (EES) and the Psychological Resilience Scale (PRS). Data were analyzed using a two-way mixed-design ANOVA. Results: The analyses revealed that the intervention had a statistically signifi-cant and strong effect on both emotional eating (Group × Time Interaction: F(1,79) = 37.263, p < .001, ηp² = 0.321) and psychological resilience (Group × Time Interaction: F(1,79) =20.303 , p < .001, ηp² =0.204). The significant decrease in emotional eating scores and increase in psychological resilience scores observed in the experimental group were maintained during the two-month follow-up period. No significant changes were found in the control group. Conclusion: Psychoeducation integrating the principles of CBT and MI repre-sents an effective and sustainable intervention model for both reducing emotional ea-ting behaviors and enhancing psychological resilience in obese individuals. Keywords: Psychoeducation, Psychiatric nursing, Obesity, Cognitive behavio-ral therapy, Motivational interviewing, Emotional eating, Psychological resilience.