Abstract:

The aim of this study was to examine socio-demographic variables, metacognition, emotion regulation difficulties and self-compassion as predictors of emotional eating behavior of adults. The sample of the study consisted of 434 individuals (319 female, 115 male) over the age of 18, living in Turkey and not diagnosed with any eating disorder. The data were collected online. The scales delivered to the participants were demographic information form, Three-Factor Eating Scale, Metacognition Questionnaire-30, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and Self-Compassion Scale Short Form. According to the findings; gender, age, employment status, romantic relationship status, weight, personal weight perception, metacognition, emotion regulation difficulties and self-compassion were associated with emotional eating. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed with the variables found to be associated with emotional eating, and the results indicated that gender, age, employment status, weight, cognitive confidence, uncontrollability, and danger, openness, awareness and self-compassion significantly predicted emotional eating. According to the results of the research, it was seen that self-compassion, emotion regulation difficulties and metacognitive beliefs may have an important role in preventing and treating emotional eating. It was thought that practitioners and future researchers should pay attention to these factors when addressing emotional eating.

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