A network analysis study of interpersonal problems and eating behaviors among college freshmen
10.3760/cma.j.cn371468-20250121-00032
- VernacularTitle:大学新生人际问题与进食行为的网络分析
- Author:
Xiaopei ZHANG
1
;
Yiming GAO
;
Yanxia WU
;
Naifu WU
;
Mengting WU
;
Lian GU
;
Sufang PENG
;
Han CHEN
;
Jue CHEN
Author Information
1. 上海交通大学医学院附属精神卫生中心，上海 200030
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Eating disorder;
Interpersonal relation;
Network analysis;
College student
- From:
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science
2025;34(5):452-458
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To examine the interaction between interpersonal issues and eating behavior problems among college freshmen, and to identify core psychological factors and potential pathways that drive eating behavior.Methods:In October 2019, a total of 5 073 college freshmen from a university in Shanghai were recruited as participants. Their general demographic data were collected, and they were evaluated using the eating disorder examination questionnaire 6.0 (EDE-Q 6.0) and inventory of interpersonal problems-32(IIP-32).Descriptive analyses were performed using SPSS 24.0 software.A regularized partial correlation network was constructed using the graphical least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (GLASSO) in R(v4.2.3) software. A Bayesian network analysis (BNA) was conducted to build a directed network, aiming to identify core driving factors and key psychological mechanisms.Results:Regularized partial correlation network identified shape concern as the most central node, with the highest strength centrality(1.32) and expected influence(1.20). It showed the highest bridge strength with dominance/control (0.22, 0.21), linking the interpersonal and eating behavior modules. Directed network analysis indicated that low self-confidence was the upstream node influencing social inhibition and cold/ distant relationships, indirectly affecting eating disorder.Within the eating module, shape concern and weight concern predicted eating preoccupation and dietary restraint, forming a pathway structure from eating cognition to behavior.The network demonstrated good stability (CS-coefficient=0.75).Conclusion:Shape concern is the core mechanism underlying eating problems in college freshmen. Low self-confidence contributes indirectly via interpersonal dysfunction. Dominance/control and shape concern bridge interpersonal and eating domains, providing key targets for early prevention and intervention.
