Association of perceived stress, social support and self-esteem with disordered eating due to Alexithymia

Introduction: Stress, negative emotional states, disorders, low self-esteem, and feelings of loneliness isolation are among contributing factors, which can trigger disordered eating behaviors. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the association perceived stress, social support, self-esteem with due alexithymia. Method: In this correlational structural equation modeling, statistical population consisted individuals, who were referred Baraka Obesity Treatment Clinic in Tehran, Iran, during 2021-2022. A total 303 people a body mass index above 30 kg/m2 selected using convenience sampling method. Data collected Perceived Stress Questionnaire by Cohen et al. (1983), Social Support Scale Zimmet (1988), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem (1965), Alexithymia Bagby (1994), Eating Behavior Van Stein colleagues (1986). modeling method was used analyze data. Results: results indicated significant direct effects stress (β=0.22, P<0.01), support (β=-0.25, (β=-0.21, P<0.01) on eating. Also, indirect (Z=7.69, (Z=-6.13, (Z=-6.46, through Conclusion: showed that such as level identifying expressing one’s emotions, affect Therefore, reducing alexithymia improving behaviors speculated decrease obese people.