The Predicting Perceived Stress Based on Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation in Patients with Obesity

Apart from important role of unhealthy eating patterns on eating-related problems (i.e. obesity and eating disorders), the underlying processes of such eating patterns are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to predicting perceived stress based on cognitive emotion regulation and difficulties in emotion regulation in patients with obesity. The descriptive- correlation method was used. The statistical population consists of all the patients with obesity refer to counseling centers, nutrition and treatment regimen of Karaj city in 1396 to 49817 patients with obesity. According to Cochran formula, participants in this analytical study were consisted of 381 obese individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 30 Kg/m2. The convenience sampling method was used in this research. Data collection tools included three valid and reliable scales global measure of perceived stress of Cohen and et al (1983) cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire of Granefski and et al(2002) and difficulties in emotion regulation scale of Gratz and Roemer (2004). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multi regression analysis. Findings showed that there was a significant correlation between perceived stress with cognitive emotion regulation and difficulties in emotion regulation in patients with obesity (P<0/01). Regression analysis indicated that cognitive emotion regulation and difficulties in emotion regulation play a significant role in explaining perceived stress in patients with obesity (P<0/01). These findings highlight the importance of cognitive emotion regulation and emotion regulation as a key risk factor in unhealthy eating patterns. Moreover, the restrictive eating patterns and binge eating patterns difference each other in terms of cognitive emotion regulation and difficulties in emotion regulation. Treatment interventions must address the cognitive emotion regulation and difficulties in emotion regulation and include the strategies to cope with obesity.