The influence of self-compassion on binge eating and internalized weight bias in men: an ecological momentary assessment study

Papini, Natalie Marguerite (2023) The influence of self-compassion on binge eating and internalized weight bias in men: an ecological momentary assessment study. Doctoral thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Prior research has identified self-compassion as a mechanism that may improve disordered eating, alleviate binge eating, and improve an individual’s ability to regulate emotions during challenges and adversity. Despite evidence supporting self-compassion as a skill that can improve disordered eating, few studies have adequately sampled men and examined this trend among men who binge eat. This project had two primary objectives: 1) examine between and within-subject self-compassion and how it influences momentary binge eating and internalized weight bias; 2) elucidate the relationship between binge eating behaviors, self-compassion, and internalized weight bias in men who binge eat. This project aimed to achieve these objectives by assessing self-compassion and its influence on binge eating behaviors and internalized weight bias (IWB) using a 1-week, single-wave, ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design: study 1) assess the impact of momentary self-compassion (IV) on binge eating behaviors at the following prompt (DV) with adverse childhood experiences and drive for muscularity as moderators while controlling for BMI, age, race, and ethnicity; study 2) examine the between and within-subject effects of self-compassion on IWB controlling for BMI, age, race, and ethnicity, with adverse childhood experiences and drive for muscularity as moderators; and study 3) to examine the indirect effects of the relationships among self-compassion, internalized weight bias, and binge eating. More specifically, we assessed if self-compassion moderates the relationship between internalized weight bias and binge eating. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine the impact of momentary self-compassion on binge eating behaviors and internalized weight bias. To examine if self-compassion moderates internalized weight bias and binge eating, the third and final study utilized IWB (IV) and self-compassion (moderator) at time 1 and binge eating (DV) at time 2 (at a prompt where it is next reported) in the model. Time 1 (IWB as IV and self-compassion as moderator) indicated the most proximal momentary assessment preceding a report of binge eating. Time 2 was a prompt where binge eating was reported. Across three studies, self-compassion appears to play a crucial role in reducing momentary binge eating and internalized weight bias in men.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	binge eating; ecological momentary assessment; internalized weight bias; self-compassion; men
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
MeSH Subjects:	F Psychiatry and Psychology > F01 Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Institute for Human Development
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2025 18:20
Last Modified:	23 Jun 2025 16:25
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6189

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