Thinking Patterns and Self-Worth: Predictors of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17011487

Abstract

Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by heightened vulnerability to maladaptive thinking and self-evaluative challenges, increasing the risk of disordered eating behaviors. This study examined the relationships among thinking patterns (cognitive distortions), self-worth (self-esteem), and eating disorder symptoms in 100 adolescents (aged 16–19) from Faisalabad, Pakistan. Participants completed the Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS; Covin et al., 2011), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965), and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q; Fairburn & Beglin, 2008)). Correlation analyses revealed significant positive associations between cognitive distortions and eating disorder symptoms (r = .580, p < .01), self- esteem and eating symptoms (r = .241, p < .05), and self-esteem and cognitive distortions (r = .248, p < .05). Multiple regression indicated that cognitive distortions significantly predicted eating disorder symptoms (β = .554, p < .001), whereas self-esteem did not independently contribute. Gender differences were minimal. Mediation analysis (N = 100) indicated that cognitive distortions significantly predicted eating disorder symptoms (B = 0.205, p < .001), while self-esteem did not mediate this relationship (indirect effect

= 0.010, 95% CI [-0.015, 0.035]). The model explained 34.6% of the variance in eating disorder symptoms (R² = .346, F(2, 97) = 25.69, p < .001), highlighting cognitive distortions as a primary target for intervention. Findings underscore the pivotal role of maladaptive thinking in adolescent’s eating pathology and highlight the need for early cognitive focused interventions.