The mediator role of self-compassion and emotion regulation in the relationship between eating attitudes and body perception

Eating disorders are a psychopathological group with increasing prevalence, high rates of comorbidity, and mortality. The core of eating disorders is formed by distorted eating attitudes along with a disrupted and negative body image. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the mediating role of self-compassion and emotion regulation in the relationship between eating attitudes and body image. Conducted with a convenience sample of 200 individuals aged between 18 and 65, this study assessed eating attitudes and the presence of eating disorders using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) and the Eating Disorder Evaluation Scale (EDE-Q), respectively. Self-compassion level was measured using the Short Form of the Self-Compassion Scale (SF-SCS), emotion regulation difficulty level was assessed using the Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and body image was evaluated using the Body Image Scale (BIS). The conducted multiple linear mediator effect analysis demonstrated the partial mediating effect of self-compassion and emotion regulation on the relationship between body image and eating attitudes.