Dynamics of Momentary Perceived Self-Regulation Abilities as Novel Predictors of Overeating in Daily Life

<p>Despite an increase of research in the realm of overeating - a well-known contributor to obesity - the psychological mechanisms that maintain overeating behaviors across time and context are still poorly understood. It may be that people’s perceptions of their self-regulation abilities fluctuate over time, and overeating results from momentary increases in negative mood eliciting negative perceptions of their self-efficacy and current willpower, stronger beliefs that cravings can be controlled and a greater ability to tolerate distress. The current study examined the dynamics of and momentary predictors of overeating using a 7-day EMA protocol to study unsuccessful restrained eaters (n = 94, Mage = 28.01, 83.2% female) in their natural environments. Participants (1) were randomly prompted 7 times per day to assess mood, momentary perceived self-regulation abilities, and situational context and (2) initiated an event-based prompt when consuming food. Results indicated perceived self-regulation abilities varied across time and context, and mediated the relation between negative affect and overeating, such that lower levels of negative affect predicted severity of overeating via lower levels of perceived self-regulation abilities (e.g., perceptions of willpower, craving uncontrollability, distress tolerance). Craving uncontrollability and willpower emerged as distinct predictors of overeating severity among this sample. These findings provide important implications for the treatment of overeating, suggesting that treatments may be improved by addressing the role of fluctuations in perceived self-regulation abilities in predicting overeating. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Skinner, Kayla Dawn

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Veilleux, Jennifer C.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bridges, Ana J.
• Beike, Denise R.

• Dieting
• Eating
• Ecological Momentary Assessment
• EMA
• Emotion
• Self-regulation
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Behavioral Disciplines and Activities
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3391

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uark.edu:etd-4941