Objective-This study investigated how the precursors of interpersonal self-efficacy and weight/ shape self-efficacy would interact in the face of interpersonal stress to prospectively predict dietary restraint. Three models were explored, each with a different type of interpersonal stress: stress from same sex friendships, opposite sex friendships, or romantic relationships.Method-At Time 1 (T1), participants (N = 406) reported on their typical levels of interpersonal self-efficacy and weight/shape self-efficacy, and recent (past 28 days) dietary restraint. At Time 2 (T2), 11 weeks after T1, participants reported on their recent (past 28 days) levels of dietary restraint at that time. Between T1 and T2, participants completed inventories weekly on the previous week's interpersonal stressors.Results-Consistent with prediction, low interpersonal self-efficacy and high weight/shape selfefficacy combined with high interpersonal stress (whether from same sex friendships, opposite sex friendships, or romantic relationships) to predict the highest levels of T2 dietary restraint after controlling for T1 levels.Conclusion-These results further link the interpersonal domain with dietary restraint and elucidate characteristics of women particularly apt to increase dietary restraint in response to interpersonal stress.Dietary restraint is often touted as a path to more than just weight loss. For example, research suggests that women diet to seek social acceptance through their resulting weight loss1. When experiencing interpersonal stress, women with high self-efficacy related to attaining a desired body weight/shape but low interpersonal self-efficacy may thus turn to dieting to both regain a sense of self-efficacy and to indirectly work toward interpersonal change. The current study investigates the association between dietary restraint and the combination of interpersonal self-efficacy, weight/shape self-efficacy, and interpersonal stress.Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Anna M. Bardone Interpersonal relationships can be a key component of self, particularly for women2. Relationship difficulties can thus threaten women's sense of self. This may help explain the devastating emotional and psychological impact when relationships end or are feared to end3 -4. Yet, relationships inherently involve lack of control to some degree, given that they are dependent on other's reciprocation. A coping strategy for interpersonal stress that would counter this lack of control would involve engaging in behaviors that promote self-efficacy (confidence in ability to successfully execute behaviors necessary for desired outcomes5). When women have low interpersonal self-efficacy (i.e., they feel little confidence in their ability to directly influence their relationships in their desired direction, e.g., through social skills) but high self-efficacy in another domain (e.g., appearance), they may consequently cope by exercising control in the domain in which they have high self-efficacy. Links between the ...