Dynamic bidirectional relationships between weight concerns, restrained eating, and psychological distress in Chinese...

Weight concerns, restrained eating, and psychological distress are known to be interconnected, yet their dynamic and bidirectional relationships in daily life remain insufficiently explored. Moreover, little is known about how individual differences-such as body weight contingency of self-worth (CSW)-may moderate these associations. This study examined the bidirectional relationships among these variables in Chinese young adults using a 14-day daily diary design. Participants were 187 Chinese young adults (M = 18.87 years, SD = 0.85 years; 75.4% females). Employing dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM), we texted autoregressive, cross-lagged, and feedback effects. Results revealed significant autoregressive effects for all three variables. Weight concerns and restrained eating were bidirectionally linked, and a significant feedback loop between them indicated a self-reinforcing cognitive-behavioral cycle. In contrast, weight concerns predicted subsequent psychological distress, but not vice versa. Notably, among individuals high in body weight CSW, the cross-lagged effects between weight concerns and psychological distress became reciprocal, accompanied by a significant feedback loop, suggesting a tighter coupling between cognitive and emotional facets of body image. These findings underscore the dynamic and interdependent nature of body image-related functioning, highlighting the need for integrated interventions that address both maladaptive weight-related cognitions and emotional regulation, particularly for individuals whose self-worth is closely tied to body weight.