Ações autocompassivas e comportamento alimentar perturbado em mulheres: O efeito mediador da apreciação da imagem corporal

Objectives: The goal of the present study was to test the mediator effect of body appreciation in the association between self-compassionate engagement and action and disordered eating behaviors. Methods: A total of 360 women from the general population, aged between 18 and 50, participated in this study, by completing online self-report instruments to evaluate self-compassionate engagement and action, body appreciation, and symptoms of eating psychopathology. Descriptive and correlation analysis among the variables in the study were conducted. Additionally, it was tested a path analysis model that hypothesized that the association between self-compassionate actions and disordered eating behaviors was mediated by the ability to accept and appreciate one’s body image. Results: Results revealed positive associations between self-compassionate engagement and action and body appreciation and negative ones between body appreciation and symptoms of eating psychopathology. Path analysis’ results revealed a negative and indirect effect between self-compassionate actions and disordered eating, via body appreciation, which explained 48% of the variance of disordered eating behavior. Conclusions: Present results suggest that self-compassionate actions hold a protective effect on eating behavior through higher levels of respect and appreciation toward body image, despite body weight, shape, and imperfections. The ability to act following self-compassionate motivations seems to contribute to higher levels of body image appreciation, which reflects in a lower susceptibility to adopt disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. The present study seems to represent an important contribution to research and clinical practice and underlines the importance of including strategies to develop self-compassionate and body appreciation competencies in programs to prevent and intervene in the area of eating psychopathology.