Childhood emotional maltreatment is linked to healthy dietary behavior through depression, anxiety, and subjective well-being
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This research investigated how childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) is associated with healthy dietary behavior among university students and explored whether emotional distress and subjective well-being (SWB) serve as intermediary variables in these associations. A cross-sectional design was applied, involving 3,007 university students recruited between October and December 2024. Key measures included CEM, depression, anxiety, SWB, and healthy dietary behavior. Correlation analysis was performed to identify associations among variables, and a chain mediation model was tested using the PROCESS macro for SPSS (Model 80). CEM showed positive links with depression (r = 0.356) and anxiety (r = 0.371), but negative links with SWB (r = -0.317) and dietary quality (r = -0.217). Both depression and anxiety were inversely related to SWB (r = -0.386; r = -0.378) and healthy dietary behavior (r = -0.210; r = -0.206), while depression and anxiety were strongly correlated with each other (r = 0.785). In contrast, SWB was positively associated with healthy dietary behavior (r = 0.185). Mediation testing indicated that emotional distress and SWB partly explained the pathway between CEM and healthy dietary behavior. The findings highlight potential psychological associations between adverse childhood experiences and eating behaviors. Addressing emotional difficulties and promoting SWB may be valuable directions for dietary and mental health programs targeting university students. This study provides theoretical implications and practical references for university mental health services and nutrition education initiatives.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Chuqi Yan, Yang Liu, Tiancheng Zhang, Jianhua Zhang
Institutions: Jishou University, Hunan University of Medicine
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7134268373