The mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation skills in the relationship between romantic relationship satisfaction and eating attitudes

Abstract

Background Romantic relationship satisfaction has been linked to psychological outcomes, including emotional well-being and eating behaviors. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. This study examines the mediating role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies-particularly catastrophizing-in the relationship between romantic relationship satisfaction and eating attitudes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 355 university students. Participants completed the Relationship Satisfaction Scale, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed using AMOS and R with robust maximum likelihood estimation. Model fit was evaluated using chi 2/df, CFI, GFI, RMSEA, and SRMR. Results Catastrophizing significantly mediated the relationship between romantic relationship satisfaction and eating attitudes. Romantic relationship satisfaction was negatively associated with catastrophizing (beta = -0.18, p = .028), and catastrophizing was positively associated with problematic eating attitudes (beta = 0.35, p < .001). The direct effect of romantic relationship satisfaction on eating attitudes was not statistically significant (beta = -0.12, p = .104), indicating full mediation. Acceptance did not significantly mediate the relationship (p = .348). Gender differences were observed: women scored significantly higher on rumination, dieting, and bulimia/food preoccupation (p < .05). Conclusions These findings highlight the role of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation-specifically catastrophizing-in linking romantic relationship dissatisfaction with disordered eating attitudes. Targeting catastrophizing in interventions may improve both relationship satisfaction and eating behaviors.