An analysis of the relationship between self-consciousness and eating attitudes among 8th grade students

Safiye Övgü  Karaarslan Çayirpunar; Özlem  Özden Tunca

doi:10.59400/apr1424

An analysis of the relationship between self-consciousness and eating attitudes among 8th grade students

Safiye Övgü Karaarslan Çayirpunar Istanbul Arel University, 34537 İstanbul, Turkey
Özlem Özden Tunca Istanbul Fenerbahçe University, 34758 İstanbul, Turkey

Article ID: 1424

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/apr1424

Keywords: self-consciousness; eating attitude; adolescence

Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between eating attitudes and self-consciousness among 8th-grade students studying in the Kağıthane district of Istanbul during the 2023–2024 academic year. The study included a total of 568 students (300 males and 268 females). Participants were administered the Sociodemographic Form, Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40), and the Self-Consciousness Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 software. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were conducted to examine the predictive role of self-consciousness on eating attitudes. A positive relationship was found between “self-consciousness” and “eating attitude.” Independent sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used to compare groups based on sociodemographic variables. The eating attitudes score was significantly higher among female students compared to male students (t = −6.26; p < 0.001). Students with a family history of dieting had significantly higher eating attitude scores compared to those without (t = 4; p < 0.001). No significant differences were found based on screen usage during meals, meal procurement methods, meal companions, time spent at school, frequency of packaged food consumption, or parental restrictions on packaged foods. Self-consciousness scores were compared based on gender, diet history, household composition, number of siblings, meal companions, birth order, and parental restrictions on packaged foods. Female students had significantly higher scores in private self-consciousness (t = −3.96; p < 0.001), general self-consciousness (t = −9.37; p < 0.001), and social anxiety (t = −7.51; p < 0.001) compared to male students. Students with a diet history had significantly higher general self-consciousness scores (t = 2.39; p < 0.05) compared to those without. No significant differences were found in self-consciousness levels based on household composition, number of siblings, meal companions, birth order, or parental restrictions on packaged foods. For future scientific studies, the findings were discussed, and suggestions were provided.

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Published

2024-11-25

How to Cite

Karaarslan Çayirpunar, S. Övgü, & Özden Tunca, Özlem. (2024). An analysis of the relationship between self-consciousness and eating attitudes among 8th grade students. Applied Psychology Research, 3(2), 1424. https://doi.org/10.59400/apr1424

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