The influence of self-regulation and stigmatization on weight and binge eating from middle childhood to adolescence

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Petra Warschburger
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology ; Developmental and Educational Psychology
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 426314138

Obesity and binge eating are serious health problems that occur frequently and often for the first time during adolescence. The role of self-regulation (SR), i.e. the competence to control one's own behavior and experience, is particularly emphasized for their development and maintenance. In addition to SR, the experience of stigmatization (e.g. teasing) and the internalization of social stigmata are increasingly being discussed as significant risk factors. However, the exact interaction between these three risk factors is still unclear. Current models postulate that weight-related stigmatization and its internalization represent psychological stresses, which contribute to weight gain (and uncontrolled eating behavior) via, inter alia, reduced self-regulation. A comprehensive testing of these assumptions is still pending. In addition, previous research has been predominately cross-sectional and focusing on adults or children, while prospective studies with adolescents are missing. Because SR is still developing, negative comments can be particularly significant for the development of eating and weight-related disorders in adolescents. Therefore, the project focuses on a detailed prospective analysis of the interaction between stigma, SR (as a central mediating factor) and (the development of) weight status and BE in the course from childhood to adolescence. Based on an already existing longitudinal data set with three measurement points, more than 1000 adolescents aged 15 to 20 years will be re-examined with a view of different basal and complex self-regulatory skills, weight status, BE, stigmatization and internalization of weight stigma. Thus, it can be determined which specific self-regulatory skills have a long-term influence on weight status and BE in adolescence, whether differential relationships exist, and whether the effect of stigmatization on weight or BE in adolescence is mediated by self-regulatory skills. These findings can support the development of prevention and intervention efforts with special emphasis on self-regulatory skills

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5034: Self-regulation as a ressource in coping with developmental demands - a prospective analysis form middle childhood to adolescence