Psychological Landscape of Eating Disorders: A Study of Self-Control, Mood, and Personality Traits in Adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Eating disorders (EDs) pose significant challenges to individuals' psychological, physical, and social well-being, making early detection and intervention essential. This study aimed to examine the associations between eating disorder risk symptoms and key psychological constructs, including self-control, life satisfaction, mental health, and personality traits.

METHODS

Study I involved the translation and psychometric validation of the Turkish IOI Screener, including Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Measurement Invariance testing, and Item Response Theory analyses. Study II, conducted using a cross-sectional design, assessed criterion validity by examining correlations with related psychological measures and testing a structural equation model exploring the mediating role of anxiety and stress in the relationship between eating disorder risk symptoms and life satisfaction.

RESULTS

Findings confirmed the unidimensional factor structure of the Turkish IOI Screener, with strong reliability indicators. Anxiety and stress partially mediated the relationship between eating disorder risk symptoms and life satisfaction, acting as parallel mediators. Eating disorder risk symptoms were positively associated with neuroticism, depression, and impulsivity, and negatively linked to self-control, conscientiousness, and life satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the need for early detection and tailored interventions for individuals at risk of eating disorders, particularly addressing anxiety and stress to improve well-being.