EATBEH-00644; No of Pages 5 Eating Behaviors xxx (2013) xxx–xxx Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Eating Behaviors Evaluating the indirect effect of self-compassion on binge eating severity through cognitive–affective self-regulatory pathways Jennifer B. Webb a,⁎, Mallory J. Forman b a University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Psychology, Health Psychology Ph.D. Program, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, USA b Appalachian State University, Department of Psychology, P. O. Box 32109, 222 Joyce Lawrence Lane, Boone, NC 28608, USA article info abstract Article history: Current theory and evidence point to disruptions in self-concept and difficulties with emotion regulation as Received 29 June 2012 contributing to the severity of binge eating. Alternatively, contemporary perspectives on self-compassion Received in revised form 19 October 2012 suggest that individual differences in this adaptive approach to self-regulation may serve to counteract Accepted 4 December 2012 these cognitive–affective triggers presumably resulting in reductions in binge eating severity. Accordingly, the Available online xxxx present cross-sectional analysis examined an indirect effect model of positive dimensions of self-compassion on binge eating severity through both emotional tolerance and unconditional self-acceptance pathways. Two Keywords: fi College students hundred fteen undergraduate students (78% female) completed self-report measures of the variables of interest; Self-compassion BMI was calculated from self-reported heights and weights. Pearson'scorrelationsrevealed a positive linear associ- Binge eating severity ation between self-compassion and unconditional self-acceptance; negative links were observed between Emotional tolerance self-compassion and emotional intolerance along with the severity of binge eating symptoms. A subsequent multi- Unconditional self-acceptance ple mediator analysis utilizing both normal test theory and robust non-parametric bootstrap resampling procedures confirmed the presence of a significant total indirect effect of self-compassion on binge eating severity (−.15, pb0.001) through the combined mediators along with yielding specific indirect effects for both emotional tolerance (−.05, pb0.05) and unconditional self-acceptance (−.11, pb0.01) which were preserved in a model adjusted for BMI. Preliminary results underscore the need to further evaluate the tenability of this model in both prospective cohort and intervention-based research. Findings additionally invite considering the value of integrating self-compassion training into college health promotion efforts towards mitigating the appreciable levels of binge eating behavior prevalent in this at-risk population. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction maintenance of binge eating (Allen, Byrne, La Puma, McLean, & Davis, 2008; Heatherton & Baumeister, 1991; Polivy & Herman, Remarkably, although clinically-elevated binge eating patterns in 1993). A compelling consensus has accrued in the scientific literature the form of binge eating disorder (BED) have been documented in a in support of construing an eating binge as a means of momentarily minority of university undergraduates (e.g., 1%–8.4%), subthreshold alleviating the experience of negative emotions and/or avoiding levels appear to affect a considerable number of students at this devel- conscious awareness of undesirable aspects of the self that often opmental juncture (ranging from 15% to 44%: Laska, Pasch, Lust, Story, & co-occurs with threats to self-esteem (e.g., negative self-evaluations, Ehlinger, 2011; Napolitano & Himes, 2011; Saules et al., 2009; Whiteside self-criticism). Indeed, research confirms that stress and negative affect et al., 2007). Not only is binge eating a risk factor for weight gain frequently precipitate as well as result from episodes of dysregulated (Barnes, Blomquist, & Grilo, 2011) and concomitant cardiometabolic eating (Barker, Williams, & Galambos, 2006; Deaver, Miltenberger, morbidity, it is also linked to poorer psychosocial well-being. Notably, Smyth, Meidinger, & Crosby, 2003; Kenardy, Arnow, & Agras, 1996; college students who reported higher scores on measures of binge eating Napolitano & Himes, 2011); emotional eating was also correlated with were more inclined to endorse lower self-esteem along with greater binge eating in an overweight sample (Ricca et al., 2009). Authors dietary restraint, body dissatisfaction, fat self-perceptions, anxiety, and have further noted that individuals engaging in binge eating report depressive symptoms (Benjamin & Wufert, 2005; Mitchell & Mazzeo, being able to access fewer resources with which to regulate emotions 2004; Napolitano & Himes, 2011; Saules et al., 2009). more constructively (Czaja, Rief, & Hilbert, 2009; Whiteside et al., Leading experts have proffered a functional self-regulatory perspec- 2007). Alternatively, data also suggests that cultivating more positive tive as a prevailing explanatory model driving both the onset and cognitive coping strategies may mitigate the severity of binge eating symptoms (Kelly, Lydecker, & Mazzeo, 2012). ⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 704 687 1320; fax: +1 704 687 1317. Along these lines, the main objective of the current study was to test E-mail address: [email protected] (J.B. Webb). an indirect effect model of individual differences in self-compassion on 1471-0153/$ – see front matter © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2012.12.005 Please cite this article as: Webb, J.B., & Forman, M.J., Evaluating the indirect effect of self-compassion on binge eating severity through cognitive– affective self-regulatory..., Eating Behaviors (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2012.12.005 2 J.B. Webb, M.J. Forman / Eating Behaviors xxx (2013) xxx–xxx binge eating severity via both emotional tolerance and unconditional metropolitan area. Students were recruited through informational flyers self-acceptance pathways. Self-compassion as an outgrowth of ancient posted around campus as well as through the Psychology Department's Buddhist philosophy encourages treating oneself with kindness and subject pool. Seventy-eight percent of participants identified as female engaging mindful equanimity in the face of distress and life's difficulties and roughly 40% of the sample was comprised of college sophomores. comforted by the recognition that suffering is an essential part of the The ethnic representation of the sample (which reflects the more typical shared human condition (Neff, 2003). Closely aligned with Ellis' ethnic diversity of undergraduates matriculating in major universities (1962, 1995) influential epistemology promoting unconditional located in the southern region of the West coast: About USC: Facts self-acceptance, contemporary theory on adopting a self-compassionate and figures, n.d.; UCLA enrollment history, n.d.) was as follows: 45.2% stance further eschews placing emphasis on making global self- European American, 23.5% Latino American, 6.9% African American, 6% evaluations, antithetical to the conceptualization of self-esteem (Neff, Asian American, 12% South Asian American and 4.6% identifying as 2003). Though long-practiced in Eastern spiritual traditions, the scientific Other. The mean level of maternal education attained was 15.3 years construct of self-compassion has come under the scrutiny of Western (SD=3.85). The median reported annual household income range empiricism only within the last decade. Initial scale validation work was $75,000–$99,999. confirmed positive relationships between self-compassion and dimen- sions of well-being (e.g., social connectedness, life satisfaction) along 2.2. Measures with negative associations observed with reports of depression and anxiety (Neff, 2003). 2.2.1. Demographics and anthropometrics Surprisingly, the study of self-compassion in the context of disordered Participants completed a standard demographic questionnaire eating and related variables such as body image disturbance is highly un- requesting respondents' age, sex, year in school, maternal education derdeveloped in this emerging line of research. Nevertheless, limited ev- level, annual parental household income level, ethnic identification, and idence has shown higher levels of self-compassion to be linked to greater height and weight. The latter two parameters were used to calculate positive body image characteristics (Ferreira, Pinto-Gouveia, & Duarte, self-reported BMI. 2011; Wasylkiw, MacKinnon, & MacLellan, 2012) and reduced guilt over consuming forbidden or unhealthy foods (Adams & Leary, 2007; 2.2.2. Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) Wasylkiw et al., 2012). These relationships seem plausible in light of The SCS (Neff, 2003) is a 26-item self-report measure in which modern theoretical perspectives on mindfulness and acceptance- participants respond to each item (e.g., “I'm tolerant of my own flaws based approaches to self-regulation inclusive of self-compassion that and inadequacies”) on a 5-point scale (1 =almost never;5=almost foster cultivating greater non-judgmental awareness and a curiosity always), with higher scores indicating higher self-compassion. and openness to one's internal experience (i.e. thoughts, emotions, The scale yields six subscale scores, 3 of which correspond to the main physical sensations: Baer, 2010; Germer, 2009; Kabat-Zinn, 1990). components of self-compassion—mindfulness, common humanity, Self-compassion purports to further extend these processes and self-kindness—while