Investigating how Autonomy and Maternal Influence Affect Disordered Eating Behaviors

         According to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), approximately 20 million women in the United States alone will develop a clinically diagnosed eating disorder (NEDA, 2023). Previous research has found that when young girls perceive a lack of autonomy in relation to their choices about food and body image, it may contribute to the internalization of environmental standards, leading to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns. However, it is not well understood how maternal influences impact the development of autonomy and disordered eating. The current study investigated how varying levels of autonomy and maternal influence affect disordered eating patterns among young women in college. Participants aged 18-25 at a southeastern university were recruited through an online subject pool and each participant completed an online survey about their personality characteristics, eating behaviors and mother’s eating-related behaviors. Results indicate that participants’ autonomy scores were negatively correlated with their maternal influence scores (i.e., reported that their mother’s eating-related beliefs and behaviors were more negative). The emerging adult women who reported a higher level of autonomy also showed fewer disordered eating behaviors. Interestingly, no significant differences in eating behaviors, autonomy or maternal influence were found when comparing freshmen and non-freshmen women. These findings will help inform our understanding of how autonomy and disordered eating develop and change over the course of emerging adulthood and beyond. Campus resources should take practical steps towards providing education and promoting eating behaviors that support mental wellness.