The Relationship Between Body Image Victimization Experiences and Binge Eating Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Body Image Shame and Self-Criticism

Abstract

Objective: Binge eating disorder is associated with problems in interpersonal and occupational relationships, quality of life, and sometimes weight gain. Many factors affect the formation of these disorder symptoms. The current study examined the relationship between body image victimization experiences and the severity of binge eating symptoms mediated by body image shame and self-criticism. Method: In this study, structural equation modeling was employed. Participants were 283 Iranian university students who completed a set of self-report measures of body image shame, forms of Self-Criticizing / Self-Reassuring, binge eating symptoms and body image victimization experiences. Results: The results showed that the symptoms of binge eating had a positive and significant relationship with body image shame (r = 0.51, p = 0.001), self-criticism (r = 0.51, p = 0.001), and body image victimization experiences (r = 0.56, p = 0.001). Also, body image shame (p < 0.05, ß = 10.0) and self-criticism (p < 0.05, ß = 0.12) mediated the relationship between victimization experiences and the severity of binge eating symptoms. Conclusion: Based on the results, self-criticism and shame of body image could mediate the relationship between the early body image victimization experiences in childhood and adolescence and the severity of binge eating symptoms in the Iranian sample. Therefore, researchers and clinicians can consider the effect of these factors on binge eating disorder.

Eating disorder psychopathology and negative affect in Iranian college students: a network analysis

“…Notably, previous non-network research [ 28 , 70 – 72 ] suggests that some individuals may engage in ED behaviors and manipulation of shape/weight to cope with shame. However, engaging in ED behaviors to cope with shame may eventually increase shame (e.g., regarding eating, shape and weight), setting up a vicious cycle [ 52 ]. Overall, our findings and those of others suggest that shame may have an important role in initiating ED psychopathology [ 26 , 27 , 29 , 70 , 73 , 74 ].…”

“…This exposure may increase body dissatisfaction and/or negative affect (e.g., shame, nervousness) when seeing one’s body at home. For example, a recent study indicated that body-related shame was associated with ED psychopathology in Iran [ 52 ]. Of note, bridge symptoms between other psychological constructs (e.g., depression, anxiety) and ED symptoms have differed among individuals in Iran [ 4 , 53 ] compared to those from other countries (e.g..…”