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Relationships Between Meaning in Life, Positive and Negative Affect, and Eating Behaviors: A Daily Diary Study

Author

Listed:
  • Jie Wen

    (China University of Political Science and Law
    Deyang College of Urban Tail Transit)

  • Miao Miao

    (Peking University)

Abstract

Meaning in life (MIL) is crucial in promoting health behaviors; nevertheless, the mechanism underlying the relationship between MIL and health behaviors remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between MIL and eating behaviors (i.e., healthy and emotional eating), and the mediating roles of positive and negative affect. A total of 113 Chinese undergraduate students (83.2% women; mean age = 19.84 years) were recruited to complete 14 consecutive days of assessments on MIL, positive and negative affect, healthy eating, and emotional eating. The proposed multilevel structural equation model showed that the within-person indirect effects of “MIL → positive affect → healthy eating” and “MIL → negative affect → emotional eating” were significant. These findings suggested that on within-person levels, daily MIL is positively associated with same-day healthy eating directly or indirectly via positive affect; daily MIL is negatively associated with same-day emotional eating via negative affect. Therefore, more attention should be paid to increasing daily MIL when designing interventions for health behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Jie Wen & Miao Miao, 2022. "Relationships Between Meaning in Life, Positive and Negative Affect, and Eating Behaviors: A Daily Diary Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1315-1331, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:23:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-021-00450-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-021-00450-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karen Cohen & David Cairns, 2012. "Is Searching for Meaning in Life Associated With Reduced Subjective Well-Being? Confirmation and Possible Moderators," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 313-331, April.
    2. Andrew Howell & Holli-Anne Passmore & Karen Buro, 2013. "Meaning in Nature: Meaning in Life as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(6), pages 1681-1696, December.
    3. Miao Miao & Lei Zheng & Yiqun Gan, 2017. "Meaning in Life Promotes Proactive Coping via Positive Affect: A Daily Diary Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1683-1696, December.
    4. Michael Steger & Arissa Fitch-Martin & Jena Donnelly & Kathryn Rickard, 2015. "Meaning in Life and Health: Proactive Health Orientation Links Meaning in Life to Health Variables Among American Undergraduates," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 583-597, June.
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