Relationship Between Emotional Eating and Big Five Personality Characteristics and Mood Disorder Symptoms

Abstract

Some recent research indicates that eating behavior is related to emotions rather than physical hunger. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotionally triggered eating behavior and mood disorder symptoms and personality characteristics. The sample of the research consisted of 300 university students between 17-25 years old. The measurements are a socio-demographic, Emotional Appetite Questionnaire, Mood Disorder Questionnaire, and The Big Five Inventory. Data were analyzed performing T-Tests, correlation and regression analysis. Results indicated that there is a significant relationship between mood disorder symptoms, some of the emotional eating appetite sub-dimensions and some variables of Big Five personality traits of agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness, and extroversion personality. There was no relationship between mood disorders and emotional eating behaviors. Extroversion, openness, and conscientiousness were significant predictors of positive mood appetite, anxiety-based mood appetite, and dysphonic mood appetite.

Examining the relationship between subjective wellbeing and emotional eating in adolescents in Turkey

“…The results of the study by Nguyen-Rodriguez et al (2009) anxiety-based psychological states that caused overeating were observed more frequently in males rather than women (Tınmazoğlu & Guvender Doksat, 2020). Research conducted by McCrone et al (2000) indicated that women tended to exhibit overeating behavior in the face of negative emotions even though they did not feel hungry.…”

“…The authors found that emotional eating caused by stress, anxiety, tension, and worry was more frequent in girls, whereas in boys, the factors affecting emotional eating were based on more complex psychological states (Nguyen‐Rodriguez et al, 2009). In another study, anxiety‐based psychological states that caused overeating were observed more frequently in males rather than women (Tınmazoğlu & Guvender Doksat, 2020). Research conducted by McCrone et al (2000) indicated that women tended to exhibit overeating behavior in the face of negative emotions even though they did not feel hungry.…”