On the Relations between Diet Violation, Self-perceptions and Attitudes, and Subsequent Dieting
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Five studies examined the relations between diet violation and maintenance, diet-related self-perceptions and attitudes, and subsequent weight-loss goal pursuit. Using previous research in the areas of self-perception and eating regulation, we made several hypotheses. First, we hypothesized that diet-breaking behaviors should predict subsequent diet violation, whereas initially maintaining a diet should predict subsequent diet maintenance. Second, we hypothesized that diet violation should predict less positive views of the self as a dieter and less positive attitudes about dieting, whereas instances of diet maintenance should predict more positive or no change in self-views and attitudes about dieting. Finally, it was expected that self-perceptions and attitudes about dieting should predict subsequent diet-related goal pursuit and, moreover, that self-views and attitudes should mediate the relation between diet violation/maintenance and subsequent behavior. Additionally, we explored individual differences that may moderate the relations between diet violation, self-perceptions and attitudes, and subsequent behavior. In Studies 1 and 5, we found, contrary to our hypothesis, that diet violation predicted better weight-loss goal pursuit than did diet maintenance. In Studies 2 and 4, however, there was no significant relation between violation/maintenance and subsequent behavior. Studies 3 and 5 supported our hypothesis that behaving in diet-congruent ways predicted more positive self-views and attitudes about dieting, whereas behaving in diet-incongruent ways predicted more negative self-views and attitudes about dieting. This finding was not consistently found in our studies, however, because Studies 2 and 4 provided some evidence that diet-incongruent behaviors predicted more positive self-views and attitudes about dieting. Finally, the findings of Study 5 suggest that positive self-perceptions and attitudes may predict less subsequent likelihood of violation and that self-perceptions partially mediate the relation between diet violation and subsequent likelihood of violation. Study 5 also provided initial evidence that individual differences, such as perceived self-regulatory success, self-compassion, and diet valuation, may help to explain how diet violations influence subsequent behaviors, self-perceptions, and attitudes. Overall, the studies of this dissertation point to the complexity of the relation between diet violation, self-perceptions/attitudes, and subsequent behavior. In some studies, we found preliminary support for our hypotheses. The reasons behind contradictory findings are discussed.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Christine Nguyen
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2615540278