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Childhood emotional maltreatment is linked to healthy dietary behavior through depression, anxiety, and subjective well-being
This research investigates the associations between childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) and healthy dietary behavior among university students, considering emotional distress and subjective well-being (SWB) as potential mediators. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the study involved a sample of 3,007 university students recruited between October and December 2024. Key measures included assessments of CEM, depression, anxiety, SWB, and dietary quality.
Correlation analyses revealed that CEM was positively correlated with depression (r = 0.356) and anxiety (r = 0.371), while negatively correlated with SWB (r = -0.317) and dietary quality (r = -0.217). Depression and anxiety exhibited inverse relationships with SWB (r = -0.386; r = -0.378) and healthy dietary behavior (r = -0.210; r = -0.206), and were strongly correlated with each other (r = 0.785). Conversely, SWB demonstrated a positive association with healthy dietary behavior (r = 0.185).
Mediation analyses indicated that emotional distress and SWB partially mediate the relationship between CEM and healthy dietary behavior. These findings underscore the psychological connections between adverse childhood experiences and dietary habits, suggesting that addressing emotional challenges and enhancing SWB could be beneficial for dietary and mental health interventions targeting university students. The study offers both theoretical implications and practical recommendations for university mental health services and nutrition education programs. [NPID: Maltreatment, Adverse Child Experiences (ACEs), dietary behavior, depression]
Year: 2026
