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Volume 25, Issue 159 (5-2026)
Journal of Psychological Science 2026, 25(159): 1-20 |
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Mohtarami S, Imani M, Mohammadi N, Mollazadeh J. (2026). Examining the Effect of Psychological Flexibility and Stress on Symptoms of Binge Eating: The Mediating Role of Self-Compassion and Domestic Violence. Journal of Psychological Science. 25(159), : 2 doi:10.61186/jps.25.159.2
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3036-en.html
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-3036-en.html
Department of Psychology, Faculty of psychology and educational science, University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Iran. , smohtarami22@gmail.com
Abstract: (269 Views)
Background: Binge eating disorder is one of the eating disorders influenced by both intrapersonal and interpersonal factors. Stress is among the most significant contributors to the exacerbation of its symptoms, whereas psychological flexibility may buffer its adverse effects. Self-compassion and domestic violence may serve as intrapersonal and interpersonal mediators, respectively, in this relationship. Despite the importance of these variables, a comprehensive model examining them simultaneously has yet to be proposed.
Aims: The present study aimed to examine the effects of psychological flexibility and stress on the aggravation or alleviation of binge eating symptoms, mediated by the intrapersonal factor of self-compassion and the interpersonal factor of domestic violence.
Methods: This descriptive and correlational study targeted all students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences during the 2021–2022 academic year. Using stratified random sampling, 300 participants were selected. Data were collected using the Eating Disorder Questionnaire (Stice et al., 2001), Stress Questionnaire (Alipour et al., 2019), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (Bond et al., 2011), Self-Compassion Scale (Neff et al., 2003), and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus et al., 1996). Pearson correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling were utilized for data analysis in SPSS-27 and Smart PLS version 3 software.
Results: The findings of the structural equation modeling indicated that stress, domestic violence, and reduced psychological flexibility were significantly and directly associated with increased bulimia nervosa symptoms, whereas self-compassion served as a protective factor against these disorders. Furthermore, it was found that both stress and psychological flexibility indirectly exacerbated bulimia nervosa symptoms through reduced self-compassion and increased domestic violence (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The findings of this study identified stress, domestic violence, and reduced psychological flexibility as significant factors in the exacerbation of binge eating, while self-compassion was found to play a protective role in alleviating the severity of these disorders. These results highlight the importance of effective screening for stress and domestic violence within the community, as well as training individuals in self-compassion and psychological flexibility skills. Implementing such interventions could reduce the negative impacts of stress and violence and improve individuals’ quality of life.
Aims: The present study aimed to examine the effects of psychological flexibility and stress on the aggravation or alleviation of binge eating symptoms, mediated by the intrapersonal factor of self-compassion and the interpersonal factor of domestic violence.
Methods: This descriptive and correlational study targeted all students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences during the 2021–2022 academic year. Using stratified random sampling, 300 participants were selected. Data were collected using the Eating Disorder Questionnaire (Stice et al., 2001), Stress Questionnaire (Alipour et al., 2019), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (Bond et al., 2011), Self-Compassion Scale (Neff et al., 2003), and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus et al., 1996). Pearson correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling were utilized for data analysis in SPSS-27 and Smart PLS version 3 software.
Results: The findings of the structural equation modeling indicated that stress, domestic violence, and reduced psychological flexibility were significantly and directly associated with increased bulimia nervosa symptoms, whereas self-compassion served as a protective factor against these disorders. Furthermore, it was found that both stress and psychological flexibility indirectly exacerbated bulimia nervosa symptoms through reduced self-compassion and increased domestic violence (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The findings of this study identified stress, domestic violence, and reduced psychological flexibility as significant factors in the exacerbation of binge eating, while self-compassion was found to play a protective role in alleviating the severity of these disorders. These results highlight the importance of effective screening for stress and domestic violence within the community, as well as training individuals in self-compassion and psychological flexibility skills. Implementing such interventions could reduce the negative impacts of stress and violence and improve individuals’ quality of life.
Article number: 2
Keywords: Psychological flexibility, stress, binge eating disorder, self-compassion, domestic violence
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/09/21 | Published: 2026/05/22
Received: 2025/07/21 | Accepted: 2025/09/21 | Published: 2026/05/22
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This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)