The relationship between fear of negative evaluation, physical activity, eating behavior and psychological distress
Xiao Zheng1, Mengjie Zhang1,2, Lingli Yang1
1Key Laboratory of Philosophy and Social Sciences of Guangdong Higher Education Institutions for Collaborative Innovation of Health Management Policy and Precision Health Service, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Background:
The aim of this research is to explore the interrelationships between different psychological issues and the potential role of eating behavior and physical activity among nursing students.
Methods:
Undergraduate nursing students (n = 892) from some medical universities in China were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling methods using online platforms. Participants completed measures on demographics, fear of negative evaluation (FNE), social avoidance and distress (SAD), psychological distress (DASS), disordered eating behavior (TFEQ) and physical activity. The relationship models among the aforementioned variables were established using Process 3.5.
Results:
A total of 290 males and 602 females were included in this study. The average FNE score of students was (39.44 ± 8.78), SAD was (13.83 ± 7.06), DASS was (22.45 ± 20.47), and TFEQ was (56.09 ± 12.57), respectively. TFEQ and SAD independently and jointly acted as mediators in the relationship between FNE and DASS. Physical activity played a moderating role, with the interaction effect between FNE and groups Q2, Q3, and Q4 determined to be 0.407 (95%CI 0.136 to 0.678), 0.328 (95%CI 0.061 to 0.596) and 0.332 (95%CI 0.073 to 0.591), respectively.
Conclusions:
This study supports that disordered eating behaviors have a negative impact on mechanisms of psychological changes, and enhancing physical activity is an effective prevention strategy for psychological distress and disordered eating behaviors among nursing students.
Related Concept Videos
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Psychological Responses to Stress
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Bulimia Nervosa
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...


