Investigation of the roles of emotion regulation difficulties and experiential avoidance in the relationship between posttraumatic stress symptoms and disordered eating behaviours

In this study, the mediating roles of emotion regulation difficulties and experiential avoidance in the relationship between post-traumatic stress symptoms and disordered eating in a trauma-exposed sample were investigated. The sample of the study consisted of 362 female participants between the ages of 18-58 who were exposed to trauma. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, Post-Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale 5, Munich Eating and Feeding Disorders Assessment Questionnaire, Eating Attitude Test-Short Form, Emotion Regulation Difficulties Scale, Acceptance and Action Scale 2. Analyzes were conducted using SPSS 22 software and PROCESS 4.2. Pearson Correlation and Serial Multiple Mediator Variable Analyzes were conducted to test the research hypotheses. According to the findings of Pearson Correlation Analysis, it was seen that all of the hypotheses regarding the relationships between variables were confirmed. According to the findings of Serial Multiple Mediator Variable Analysis, emotion regulation difficulties and experiential avoidance had serial mediating role in the relationship between post-traumatic stress symptoms and restrictive eating attitudes, and experiential avoidance had an independent mediating role. It was been observed that emotional regulation difficulties and experiential avoidance had serial mediating roles in the relationship between post-traumatic stress symptoms and general disordered eating symptoms. The same finding was repeated for binge and vomiting symptoms. It was also observed that only emotion regulation difficulties had a mediating role in the relationship between post-traumatic stress symptoms and appearance and weight preoccupation. The findings were discussed within the scope of the literature. Finally, clinical implications and limitations of the study and suggestions for future studies are presented.