Structural Relationships Between Personality Traits and Binge Eating: The Mediating Role of Weight Efficacy Lifestyle of Azad University Students

People's eating behavior and binge eating, as well as the weight efficacy lifestyle, are influenced by individual and personality factors. The present study aimed to determine the structural relationships between personality traits and binge eating with the mediation of weight efficacy lifestyle of Azad University students 

The method of the present research was descriptive-correlation and the statistical population included all male and female students of Islamic Azad University of Karaj in 2022, and 357 people were selected from among them by non-random and convenience sampling method. Demographic questionnaire, "NEO Five-Factor Inventory", "Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire" and "Binge Eating Scale" were used to collect data. The validity of the instruments was measured using content validity using a qualitative method and reliability using the internal consistency method by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS.24 and AMOS.24. 

There is a direct and significant relationship between neuroticism (P=0.001, β=0.406) and conscientiousness (P=0.008, β=0.332) and binge eating. There is a positive and significant direct relationship between weight efficacy lifestyle and binge eating (P=0.003, β=0.474). There is a negative and significant direct relationship between neuroticism and weight efficacy lifestyle (P=0.002, β=0.334). There is a negative and significant indirect relationship between neuroticism and binge eating with the mediation of weight efficacy lifestyle (P=0.001, β=0.158). 

There is a structural relationship between the neuroticism personality trait and binge eating with the mediation of weight efficacy lifestyle. It is suggested that psychological treatments based on weight efficacy lifestyle should also be provided to those suffering from binge eating disorder and overweight in addition to the diet.