Psychology Applications & Developments IX Chapter 3: MINDFULNESS AND EATING DISORDERS: THE MEDIATION ROLE OF DYSMORPHIC CONCERNS

Previous research suggests that mindfulness can improve body satisfaction and reduce problematic behaviors like body comparison, which is linked to dysmorphic concerns andeating disorders. This study aimed to explore whether mindfulness's impact on eating disorders is mediated by dysmorphic concerns. 288 individuals aged between 18 and 35 years old were recruited on social media and filled an online survey measuring mindfulness, dysmorphic concerns, and eating attitudes. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The hypothesized model showed good fit indices: χ2(24) = 49.45, p = .002; CFI = .99, RMSEA = .06 (90% CI = .04 –.09), SRMR = .03. Significant paths were found from mindfulness to dysmorphic concerns (β = -.37) and from dysmorphic concerns to eating disorders (β = .51), but a non-significant path was found from mindfulness to eating disorders (β = -.04). However, the indirect relation of mindfulness with eating disorders through dysmorphic concerns was statistically significant (β = -.19). The findings suggest that lower mindfulness may increase susceptibility to dysmorphic concerns, highlighting the potential of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce dysmorphic concerns in eating-related psychopathologies.