The relationship between insecure adult attachment and restrained eating in adults in their 20s: sequential mediating effects of self-objectification and body dissatisfaction

This study assesses the impact of insecure adult attachment on restrained eating in adults in their 20s, focusing on the sequential mediating effects of self-objectification and body dissatisfaction. For this purpose, an online survey was conducted with 415 men and women in their 20s. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 29.0 and PROCESS Macro 4.2 programs, and the mediating effects were determined through Process Macro Model 6. The results revealed that while there were substantial positive correlations between all the variables, however, no significant direct relationship was found between insecure adult attachment and restrained eating. Additionally there was no significant correlation found between the mediating effect of self-objectification with restrained eating and insecure adult attachment. In contrast, the relationship between insecure adult attachment and restrained eating was significantly mediated by body dissatisfaction. Furthermore, it was confirmed that there is a significant relationship between insecure adult attachment and restrained eating, with self-objectification and body dissatisfaction acting as sequential mediating effects. This study is noteworthy since it established and verified the psychological process that leads to restrained eating in adults in their 20s. The study concludes with a discussion of limitations, along with suggestions for future research.