Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

Spring 5-7-2026

Faculty Advisor(s)

Dr. Desiree Crevecoeur-MacPhail

Abstract

Emotional eating remains one of the most prevalent yet overlooked coping mechanism among adolescents and young adults. A 2025 meta-analysis reported a 44.9% global prevalence of emotional eating among overweight and obese individuals, calling attention to this growing public health concern. Among the many factors contributing to this trend, the quality of one’s intimate relationships is a crucial influence on overall health. With a focus on heterosexual relationships, manipulative behaviors such as love-bombing can trigger feelings of shame and rejection, which can then lead to individuals seeking control over other aspects of their lives. Grounded in Emotional Regulation Theory, this study investigated the relationships between partner responsiveness, emotional abuse, perceived relational control, and relationship satisfaction as they relate to disordered eating behaviors. The goal was to better understand the behavioral and psychological influences that drive an individual’s reliance on harmful eating patterns. Among the four hypotheses tested, a significant negative correlation was found only between perceived loss of relational control and disordered eating behavior. These findings call further attention to both ends of the disordered eating spectrum, from restrictive eating to overconsumption and bingeing. Rather than focusing solely on the impact of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on eating behavior, these findings suggest that relational instability should also be considered a potential risk factor and a target for intervention. Incorporating the development of appropriate coping skills as it relates to food and intimate relationships may be a key to better addressing this health crisis and provide more effective guidance.

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2026 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

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