Berends, Ilse (2025) Emotional Eating in the Absence of Hunger Mediates the Relationship Between Meaning in Life and BMI. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Previous research has suggested that meaning in life (MIL), consisting of purpose, mattering and comprehension, is negatively related to Body Mass Index (BMI). However, this relationship has only been investigated in women. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are unknown. This thesis aimed to investigate if MIL is negatively related to BMI in a mixed gender sample, and whether this relationship is mediated by emotional eating in the absence of hunger (EEAH). Additionally, the individual relationships of purpose mattering and comprehension with BMI were explored. Of the 479 participants, 236 were men and 239 women, with ages ranging from 19 to 70 (Mage = 28.69, SD = 8.83) and BMIs ranging from 14.01 to 45.11 (MBMI = 24.47, SD = 4.77). Participants completed the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS) and the Negative Affect Eating subscale from the Eating in the Absence of Hunger Questionnaire (EAH-NAE). A mediation analysis and a multiple regression analysis were performed. No direct relationship between MIL and BMI was found. Additionally, there was a small, negative mediation effect via EEAH. Furthermore, purpose, mattering, and comprehension were not related to BMI. These findings indicate that individuals who experience more MIL might engage less in EEAH, which in turn relates to a lower BMI. Future studies should replicate these findings, using diverse populations and investigate additional factors that may link MIL and BMI. Keywords: Meaning in life, MIL, emotional eating in the absence of hunger, EEAH, BMI, purpose, mattering, comprehension
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Jonker, N.C. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Jan 2025 13:53 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Jan 2025 13:53 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4576 |
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