Effect of Maternal Psychological Control on Disordered Eating Among Female Middle School Students: The Mediating Effect of Self-Oriented Perfectionism

This study examined the mediating effect of self-oriented perfectionism on the relationship between maternal psychological control and disordered eating among female middle school students. Participants were 260 female adolescents in middle school, recruited through schools, private educational institutions, and online communities in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 27 and PROCESS macro 4.2. Descriptive statistics were conducted to examine the general characteristics of the participants and study variables, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to confirm associations among the variables. Mediation analysis was performed using PROCESS Model 4, with grade level and weight group based on body mass index (BMI) included as covariates.The findings revealed that self-oriented perfectionism significantly mediated the relationship between maternal psychological control and disordered eating. Higher levels of maternal psychological control were associated with greater self-oriented perfectionism in female adolescents, which in turn increased the likelihood of disordered eating. This result highlights the psychological pathway through which maternal control can shape disordered eating during adolescence.This study contributes to the literature in several ways. First, it empirically identifies self-oriented perfectionism as a mechanism linking maternal psychological control to disordered eating, thereby providing theoretical support for understanding disordered eating. Second, by focusing on female middle school students, it emphasizes the importance of early identification and preventive interventions in early adolescence. Finally, the findings underscore the need for family-based counseling and educational approaches that integrate adolescents’ psychological characteristics and parenting practices to effectively prevent and address disordered eating.