The role of perceived parental overprotection in women's restrained eating behavior: A moderated mediation model of alexithymia, perfectionism, and asceticism

Restrained eating behavior (REB) refers to the tendency to rigidly restrict one's eating behavior in everyday life to influence body shape or weight. Parental overprotection, alexithymia, perfectionism, and asceticism are associated with REB among women. However, no studies have examined these variables simultaneously, integrating them into a theoretical model. In the current study, the combined influences of these variables on women's REB were tested. A total of 412 women (Mage = 23.53 ± 4.24; range = 16–54) completed well-known self-report measures: Parental Bonding Instrument, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, Protestant Work Ethic Scale, and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Parallel mediation and moderated mediation hypotheses were tested using PROCESS Model 4 and PROCESS Model 15, respectively. The paths from both maternal and paternal overprotection to REB were mediated through alexithymia and socially prescribed perfectionism. There was a significant interaction effect of asceticism with socially prescribed perfectionism on REB in the model concerning paternal overprotection (b = 0.0185, SE = 0.0091, 95% CI = 0.0007–0.0363). Moreover, asceticism significantly moderated the effect of paternal overprotection on REB through socially prescribed perfectionism (b = 0.0032, SE = 0.0019, 95% CI = 0.0001–0.0076). For the model concerning maternal overprotection, the moderated mediation model was not supported. The findings support a theoretical model of risk factors for REB and highlight the possible mechanisms through which the quality of early parental relationships contributes to REB.