Self-weighing and disordered eating among women: Exploring the moderating role of psychological resilience and self-compassion.

Abstract

Background: Self-weighing is a common practice among women, often associated with both adaptive and maladaptive eating behaviours, yet its psychological implications remain unclear. Aim: This study aims to examine the potential moderating roles of psychological resilience and self-compassion in the relationship between self-weighing frequency and disordered eating behaviours among women. Method: The study sample consisted of 372 women with a mean age of 29.27 (SD = 7.24). The data were collected in Türkiye using convenience sampling methods. Cross-sectional data were collected using a self-report questionnaire, which included the Self-Compassion Scale, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, and the Connor-Davidson Psychological Resilience Scale, along with a single item to measure self-weighing frequency. Results: Four distinct moderating effects between self-weighing frequency and cognitive restriction were found to be significant. The association of self-weighing frequency with cognitive restriction was significantly positive for those reporting low levels of tenacity and personal competence, psychological resilience, and self-compassion. At the same time, it was nonsignificant for those with high levels of tenacity and personal competence, psychological resilience, and self-compassion. The relationship between self-weighing frequency and cognitive restriction was significantly positive at both low and high levels of self-compassion, but this association was stronger for those with low self-compassion than for those with high self-compassion. Conclusion: These findings highlight the significance of considering psychological factors such as psychological resilience and self-compassion in understanding the relationship between self-weighing frequency and disordered eating behaviours. They suggest that these variables can modify the strength and direction of this relationship, emphasising the importance of addressing psychological resilience and self-compassion in interventions targeting disordered eating behaviours related to self-weighing frequency.