The Role of coping styles and personality traits in eating- disordered behaviors

The present study examined role of coping styles and personality traits in eating- disordered behaviors. 331 students from Tehran university, were randomly selected using cluster sampling method. All participants filled out eating attitudes test (EAT-26), Ways of coping Questionnaire (WOCQ) and Five Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI). Length, weight and body mass index were measured. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, and multivariate regression. The results revealed significant correlations between eating- disordered behaviors and Emotion-oriented coping, Task-orientated coping, agreeableness, neuroticism and Conscientiousness Personality traits. Multivariate regression data revealed that Emotion-oriented coping, Conscientiousness and agreeableness Personality traits might explain 17.5% of eating- disordered behaviors variance. Findings suggested that individuals develop eating-disordered behaviors as a means of encounter with problems, resulting on interaction between coping styles and personality traits. Findings suggested that individuals develop eating-disordered behaviors as a means of encounter with problems, resulting on interaction between coping styles and personality traits. These results can be helpful in preventive policies, determining high risk individuals and designing of psychological interventions.