The role of Meaning in Life as a Mediator in the relationship between Anxiety and Eating Disorders

Aslan, Melike (2023) The role of Meaning in Life as a Mediator in the relationship between Anxiety and Eating Disorders. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Research about Meaning in Life gained popularity throughout the last decade. Since then, studies were able to establish a connection between Meaning in Life (MiL), Eating disorder psychopathology, as well as several other constructs, summarised in a corresponding Meaning Making Model of Eating Disorders (Marco et al., 2017). To further deepen understanding about the importance of Meaning in Life in psychological research, this article examines Meaning in Life as a mediating variable on the relation between Anxiety and Eating disorder symptoms. Two additional hypotheses were assessed. 1) Anxiety having a positive relation to Eating disorder psychopathology, as well as 2) Meaning in Life being inversely related to both Anxiety and Eating disorders. A sample of 469 participants was therefore examined with the use of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the Meaning of Life Questionnaire (MLQ), as well as the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results revealed no mediation of Meaning in Life, however a positive relation between Anxiety and ED, as well as an inversed relation between MiL and Anxiety, and Mil and Eating disorder psychopathology. Consequently, an increase in MiL predicts a decrease in Anxiety and Eating disorder psychopathology. Also, an increase in trait Anxiety predicts an increase in the severity of Eating disorder symptoms. However, the relation between Anxiety and Eating disorders is not fully explained by MiL as a mediating variable. Keywords: eating disorder, meaning in life, anxiety

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Schutzeichel, F. and Dalley, S.E.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	06 Jul 2023 09:39
Last Modified:	06 Jul 2023 09:39
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2226

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