The Relationship Between Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Healthy Diet in University Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the associations between childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) and healthy diet among university students, and tested the roles of depression and physical exercise using a conditional process framework. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3,007 Chinese undergraduates (42.1% male; mean age = 19.03 ± 1.18 years). CEM, depressive symptoms (PHQ-2), physical exercise, and healthy diet were assessed via self-report. Demographic variables were controlled. PROCESS macro Model 14 in SPSS 29.0 was used with 5,000 bootstrap samples to test moderated mediation models. RESULTS: < .001) and showed a small but significant moderating association in the depression-healthy diet relationship in the overall CEM and emotional abuse models, but not in the emotional neglect model. CONCLUSIONS: CEM was associated with poorer healthy diet partly through elevated depressive symptoms. Physical exercise demonstrated a limited buffering association. These findings underscore the relevance of integrating psychological support with physical activity and nutrition interventions to promote healthier eating among university students.