Psychological Constructs and Dysfunctional Eating in Pakistani University Students

Abstract

The present study aims to test a model that seeks to explain how Parental Bonding and Loneliness may be responsible in the development of Dysfunctional Eating Patterns such as Cognitive Restraint, Emotional Eating, Uncontrolled Eating, Drive toward Thinness, Bulimia and Dissatisfaction with Body Image. It was further hypothesized that Metacognitions, Core beliefs and Meta-Emotions would mediate between Loneliness, Parental Bonding, and the aforementioned Dysfunctional Eating Patterns. Correlational research design has been used. A sample of 210 university students was selected from government and private universities. Urdu translated versions of UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-R-18, Eating Disorders Inventory-3, Parental Bonding Inventory, Beliefs about Emotions Scale, Eating Disorders Belief Questionnaire and Metacognitions Questionnaire were used for assessment purposes. Correlational Analysis, and Multiple Hierarchical Regression were used to analyze the data. Almost all dimensions of Parental Bonding showed significant relationship with some patterns of Dysfunctional Eating. Loneliness did not show any significant correlation with Dysfunctional Eating. None of the hypothesized mediators(Metacognitions, Meta-Emotions and Core Beliefs) mediated the relationship between Parental Bonding dimensions and patterns of Dysfunctional Eating, yet some interesting relationships emerged. The findings of this research can help in understanding the cultural differences between East and West. Possible reasons why results could not support the previous literature are discussed.