Thomas Richardson1,2, Peter Elliott1, Glenn Waller3, Lorraine Bell2. 1. Professional Training Unit, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom. 2. Mental Health Recovery Teams, St. Mary's Community Health Campus, Solent NHS Trust, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown a relationship between financial difficulties and poor mental health in students, but there has been no research examining such a relationship for eating attitudes. METHOD: A group of 444 British undergraduate students completed the Index of Financial Stress and the Eating Attitudes Test (26-item version) at up to four time points across a year at university. RESULTS: Higher baseline financial difficulties significantly predicted higher eating attitudes scores at Times 3 and 4 (up to a year), after adjusting for demographic variables and baseline eating attitudes score. Lower family affluence also predicted higher eating attitudes scores at Time 4 (up to a year). A higher eating attitudes score at baseline also significantly predicted greater financial difficulties at Time 2 (3-4 months). When considering these relationships by gender, they were significant for women only. DISCUSSION: Greater financial difficulties and lower family affluence predict a worsening in eating attitudes over time in female students. The relationship appears to be partially bi-directional, with financial difficulties driving poorer eating attitudes in the shorter term.
OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown a relationship between financial difficulties and poor mental health in students, but there has been no research examining such a relationship for eating attitudes. METHOD: A group of 444 British undergraduate students completed the Index of Financial Stress and the Eating Attitudes Test (26-item version) at up to four time points across a year at university. RESULTS: Higher baseline financial difficulties significantly predicted higher eating attitudes scores at Times 3 and 4 (up to a year), after adjusting for demographic variables and baseline eating attitudes score. Lower family affluence also predicted higher eating attitudes scores at Time 4 (up to a year). A higher eating attitudes score at baseline also significantly predicted greater financial difficulties at Time 2 (3-4 months). When considering these relationships by gender, they were significant for women only. DISCUSSION: Greater financial difficulties and lower family affluence predict a worsening in eating attitudes over time in female students. The relationship appears to be partially bi-directional, with financial difficulties driving poorer eating attitudes in the shorter term.
Authors: Natalie M Papini; Myungjin Jung; Amanda Cook; Nanette V Lopez; Lauren T Ptomey; Stephen D Herrmann; Minsoo Kang Journal: J Eat Disord Date: 2022-05-04
Authors: Thomas Richardson; Angel Enrique; Caroline Earley; Adedeji Adegoke; Douglas Hiscock; Derek Richards Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2022-04-14