The Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Excessive Food Cravings and Anxiety in Women

Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology Vol.8 Issue.1

Doi:10.35365/ctjpp.26.1.09

RESEARCH ARTICLE / ARAŞTIRMA YAZISI

The Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Excessive Food Cravings and Anxiety in Women

Kadınlarda Aşırı Besin İsteği ve Anksiyete İlişkisinde Dürtüselliğin Aracı Rolü

Dilan Malgaz Güçlü

Abstract:

Recently, with the increase in eating disorders, research in this field has gained importance. This study aimed to examine the role of impulsivity in the relationship between excessive food craving and anxiety in women. The study was conducted using a correlational survey model. The sample consisted of 699 female participants aged 18-65, selected using convenience sampling. Participants completed a Personal Information Form, the Excessive Food Craving Scale, the Beck Anxiety Scale, and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale. First, the suitability of the data set for analysis was examined. The missing value analysis revealed that there were no missing observations in the data set. The outlier analysis involved converting measurement tool scores to standard z-scores, excluding nine measurements outside the ±3 Z-score range from the data set. The study found a near-normal distribution with kurtosis and skewness values within the ±1.5 range, suitable for mediation analysis. Hayes’ Process Macro Model 4 mediation model tested hypotheses, showing a positive correlation between excessive food cravings and anxiety and impulsivity in women. The study found a positive correlation between women’s excessive food cravings and anxiety and impulsivity, with impulsivity partially mediating the relationship, suggesting anxiety indirectly influences cravings. The results show that both anxiety and impulsivity levels influence emotional eating behaviors in women. Therefore, we recommend developing strategies for anxiety management and impulse control in psychological counseling and psycho-education programs. The research aims to understand the psychological factors influencing women’s eating behaviors and promote healthy eating habits.

Keywords: Women, Excessive food cravings, Anxiety, Impulsivity

¹Iğdır University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology, Iğdır, Türkiye.

Address of Correspondence/Yazışma Adresi: Dilan Malgaz Güçlü, Iğdır University, Sehit Bulent Yurtseven Campus Faculty Building Floor:4, Suveren, 76002, Iğdır, Türkiye, E-mail: [email protected]

Date of Received/Geliş Tarihi: 24.04.2025, Date of Revision/Düzeltme Tarihi: 16.03.2026, Date of Acceptance/Kabul Tarihi: 01.11.2025, Date of Online Publication/Çevirimiçi Yayın Tarihi: 25.03.2026

Citing/Referans Gösterimi: Güçlü, D. M. (2026). The Mediating Role of Impulsivity in the Relationship Between Excessive Food Cravings and Anxiety in Women. Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology, 8(1), 64-73, Doi: 10.35365/ctjpp.26.1.09.

© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Cyprus Mental Health Institute / Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology (www.ktppdergisi.com). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/