The relationship between self-efficacy and emotional eating patterns in people who consume junk food frequently

This study explores the relationship between self-efficacy and emotional eating patterns among people who frequently consume junk food. A correlational approach was employed to assess whether self-efficacy influences emotional eating behaviors. A total of 244 participants completed validated questionnaires, including the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Emotional Eater Questionnaire, to evaluate their perceived ability to regulate their eating habits and their tendency to eat in response to emotions. The findings indicate a significant negative correlation between self-efficacy and emotional eating (r = -0.41, p < 0.001), suggesting that individuals with higher self-efficacy are less likely to engage in emotional eating. Self-efficacy accounted for 16.8% of the variance in emotional eating behaviors. These results highlight the importance of psychological factors in dietary habits and suggest that interventions that are aimed at improving self-efficacy may help individuals regulate their eating behaviors more effectively. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to examine the long-term effects of self-efficacy on emotional eating and its potential role in weight management strategies.