Self-Compassionate Perspective in the Face of Social Rejection: Effects on Eating Cognitions and Behaviors
Open AccessThe present study examined the influence of an experience of social rejection and self-compassion (both state and trait) on unhealthy eating among college women – specifically cravings for unhealthy foods, willingness to eat unhealthy foods in risk-conducive scenarios, restrictive eating intentions, and candy consumption (food intake). Cognitive and affective precursors to unhealthy eating (specifically negative affect and perceived control) that potentially mediate this relationship were also assessed. Analyses tested whether inducing a self-compassionate perspective reduces the negative impact of rejection on negative affect, perceived control, and resulting unhealthy eating cognitions and candy intake. An additional goal of the study was to examine whether trait self-compassion buffers these reactions to rejection. Therefore, baseline self-compassion was explored as a moderator of the experimental effects of rejection on cognitions and behavior.College women completed an initial online survey assessing past food-related attitudes and behaviors, trait self-compassion, and demographic variables, before participating in the experimental portion of the study approximately 1-2 weeks later. During the experiment, participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions that varied on two variables: (1) rejected (or not) by purported peers during a lab group task, and (2) read and write about self-compassionate mindset in the face of stress, or a neutral topic (sleep) prior to the rejection. Following the experimental manipulations, participants completed a computer-based survey assessing eating cognitions, and participated in a bogus taste test to assess candy intake.Results revealed that rejected participants felt less control, reported higher negative affect, marginally lower cravings for salty and fast foods, lower willingness to eat unhealthy foods, higher restrictive eating intentions, and marginally greater candy intake during a taste test. These results extend beyond previous research examining the effects of rejection on eating to reflect a constellation of responses to rejection characterized by increased desires to restrict unhealthy food intake (cognitions), while exhibiting a counter-attitudinal response associated with increasing unhealthy food intake (behavior). Mediation results revealed that negative affect mediates (explains) some unhealthy eating outcomes following rejection, while feelings of control do not. The results did not provide any evidence for the hypothesis that inducing a self-compassion mindset in the face of rejection buffers rejection’s negative effects. To account for this finding – potentially suggesting failure to induce self-compassion – trait self-compassion was subsequently explored as a moderator of the effects of experimental rejection condition. Indeed, trait self-compassion moderated responses to rejection, such that the association between rejection and restrictive eating intentions was only significant among those low in self-compassion. Analyses of independent self-compassion constructs revealed that common humanity, isolation, and mindfulness were significant moderators of rejection. Mediated moderation analysis further elucidates the mechanisms by which self-compassion buffers the rejection → negative affect → restrictive eating intentions pathway. Overall, results suggest future directions for research on unhealthy eating cognitions in the face of rejection, and how self-attitudes may reduce or exacerbate this link, as well as strategies young women can use to have healthier responses to social rejection.
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