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Possible pathways between depression, emotional and external eating. A structural equation model.

Machteld A Ouwens1, Tatjana van Strien, Jan F J van Leeuwe

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This study found depression directly links to emotional eating, but not external eating, in women concerned about weight. Alexithymia and impulsivity mediate the depression-emotional eating link.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Emotional eating and external eating are distinct behaviors, though often co-occurring.
  • Both eating patterns have been linked to neuroticism, particularly depression.
  • Existing research suggests these eating styles may be independent constructs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-examine the relationship between depression, emotional eating, and external eating.
  • To investigate direct and indirect pathways involving alexithymia and impulsivity.
  • To clarify the distinct nature of emotional and external eating behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data from 549 females concerned about their weight.
  • Participants completed validated instruments measuring emotional eating, external eating, depression, alexithymia, and impulse regulation.
  • The proposed model was tested on one half of the sample and validated on the other half.

Main Results:

  • A moderate correlation was observed between emotional and external eating.
  • Depression showed a direct positive association with emotional eating, but not external eating.
  • Depression indirectly influenced emotional eating via alexithymia and impulsivity; impulsivity also related to external eating.

Conclusions:

  • Depression is directly linked to emotional eating and indirectly through alexithymia and impulsivity.
  • No direct relationship was found between depression and external eating.
  • Findings support emotional and external eating as separate constructs with distinct psychological correlates.