The mediating effect of sense of coherence in the relationship between eating attitudes and self-esteem in adolescents

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of a sense of coherence (SOC) in the relationship between eating attitudes and self-esteem in adolescents.

Methods

The study was conducted in a descriptive-correlational exploratory design. The sample of the study consisted of 1175 adolescents who met the inclusion criteria. Data were obtained by the researchers using personal information form, the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13), the Eatıng Attitude Test (EAT-26), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).

Results

SOC-13 mean score was 50.21 ± 11.06, EAT-26 mean score was 14.53 ± 10.17, and RSES mean score was 4.17 ± 1.66. It was found that there was a statistically significant negative relationship between the mean scores of RSES and the EAT, a positive relationship between the mean scores of the RSES and SOC, and a negative relationship between the mean scores of EAT and SOC. Moreover, the mediating role of SOC was found to be moderate. Furthermore, 4.5% of adolescents' SOC scores are explained by eating attitude. On the other hand, 16.4% of self-esteem scores are explained by eating attitude and SOC.

Conclusion

As a result of this study, it was determined that students' SOC moderately mediated the relationship between eating attitude and self-esteem. At the same time, eating attitude had a direct predictive effect on self-esteem.