Examining the Relationship Between Covid-19 Fear and Distress and Emotional Eating Behaviour Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study Post-Pandemic

Authors : Emine Kemaloğlu

Pages : 11-19

View : 38 | Download : 58

Publication Date : 2024-12-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The Covid-19 pandemic and the measures taken during this period have emerged as significant events inducing notable psychological effects on individuals, with emotional eating behaviour being one of the consequential outcomes. The primary objective of this study is to examine the impact of Covid-19 fear and distress on eating behaviour. The research was conducted on 460 university students. The Covid-19 Related Psychological Distress Scale was utilized to assess the psychological effects of Covid-19, while the Emotional Eating Behaviour Scale was employed to measure emotional eating behaviour. The mean score for the Covid-19 Related Psychological Distress Scale among participants was found to be 36.2±7.2, whereas the Emotional Eating Behaviour Scale score was determined as 71.1±19.1. It was observed that females exhibited higher level of Covid-19 fear and anxiety compared to males, and individuals with higher levels of fear and anxiety were more willing to get vaccinated. The primary significant finding of the study was the positive correlation between the total score of the Covid-19 Related Psychological Distress Scale and the total score of Emotional Eating Behaviour, indicating that the adverse psychological effects induced by Covid-19 also negatively affect individuals\\\' eating behaviour, prompting emotional eating behaviour. In conclusion, the research has elucidated the impact of Covid-19 on eating behaviour, highlighting the pandemic as a contributing factor to individuals\\\' emotional eating behaviour.
Keywords : Kovid-19, duygusal yeme, korku, pandemi, yeme bozuklukları