ALEXITHYMIA AND EMOTIONAL EATING: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF IMPULSIVITY AND THE MODERATING ROLE OF MINDFULNESS

Abstract

Background: Alexithymia, a trait marked by difficulties in identifying and expressing emotions, has been linked to various maladaptive behaviors, including emotional eating. However, there is limited research examining the underlying psychological mechanisms such as impulsivity and mindfulness, particularly in culturally distinct student populations. This study addresses the gap by exploring the mediating role of impulsivity and the moderating role of mindfulness in the relationship between alexithymia and emotional eating among university students in Pakistan and Turkey.

Objective: To investigate how impulsivity mediates and mindfulness moderates the relationship between alexithymia and emotional eating in young adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was employed, and data were collected using purposive sampling from 280 university students (aged 18–25) in Pakistan and Turkey. The Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, and Emotional Eating Scale were administered. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 and Hayes' PROCESS Macro Version 4.2. Pearson’s correlations, mediation (Model 4), and moderation (Model 1) analyses were conducted.

Results: Alexithymia was significantly and positively correlated with impulsivity (r = .84, p < .01) and emotional eating (r = .95, p < .01), while negatively and non-significantly correlated with mindfulness (r = –.05, p > .05). Impulsivity was positively related to emotional eating (r = .92, p < .01). Mediation analysis revealed a significant direct effect of alexithymia on impulsivity (β = .50, SE = .01, p < .001) and of impulsivity on emotional eating (β = .53, SE = .03, p < .001). Mindfulness did not significantly moderate the relationship between alexithymia and emotional eating (β = .001, SE = .000, p > .05).

Conclusion: Findings highlight impulsivity as a key mediator in the link between alexithymia and emotional eating. However, mindfulness did not demonstrate a moderating effect. These insights underline the need for targeted interventions to improve emotional regulation and reduce maladaptive coping strategies in university populations.