The association between self-compassion and eating disorders among female college students, the mediating role of psychological resilience, and the moderating role of physical exercise.

OBJECTIVE

Eating disorders among female college students are often accompanied by psychological adjustment difficulties. This study examined the association between self-compassion and eating disorders and investigated the mediating role of psychological resilience and the moderating role of physical exercise.

METHODS

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 876 female college students in China. Standardized measures were used to assess self-compassion, psychological resilience, physical exercise, and eating disorders. A moderated mediation model was tested using SPSS.

RESULTS

Self-compassion was negatively associated with eating disorders (β = -11.130, p < 0.001). Psychological resilience significantly mediated this association (β = -7.195, p < 0.001). Physical exercise significantly moderated the direct association between self-compassion and eating disorders (β = 0.230, p < 0.001), with the negative association becoming weaker at higher levels of physical exercise.

CONCLUSION

Higher self-compassion was associated with lower levels of eating disorders among female college students, and psychological resilience partially accounted for this association. Physical exercise served as a boundary condition for the direct association. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening self-compassion and psychological resilience while considering individual differences in physical exercise.