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Updated: Oct 5, 2026

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
Published on: June 5, 2016
Neuroticism and conscientiousness as predictors of emotional, external, and restrained eating behaviors
P C Heaven1, K Mulligan, R Merrilees
1Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. Patrick_Heaven@uow.edu.au
Objective:
We investigated the extent to which different forms of eating behavior as assessed by the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire are related to facets of the Big Five personality domains.
Method:
Respondents were 167 psychology students (126 females and 41 males) who volunteered for the study.
Results:
Body mass index (BMI) and gender had significant main effects on eating behaviors. These results were moderated by a significant BMI x Gender interaction on emotional eating. Eating behaviors were significantly related to the personality facets associated with Neuroticism and Conscientiousness.
Discussion:
The results are discussed with reference to previous research on eating behaviors and the nature of Neuroticism and Conscientiousness.
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