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Dergiler / Çocuk Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 25 Sayı: 3

Lost in Emotion and Connection: The Interaction Between Alexithymia, Emotional Eating, and Digital Addictions in Middle Adolescence

Asli Devrim Lanpir(Dublin City University, Department of Sports and Exercise Science)0000-0002-4267-9950
Özlem Akarsu(ISTANBUL MEDENIYET UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF NURSING)0000-0001-7150-7683
Hatice Kübra Barcın Güzeldere(ISTANBUL MEDENIYET UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS)0000-0003-0217-0938
Kardelen Düzgün0009-0002-3424-6060
Mahmut Caner Us(Marmara University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Paediatrics)0000-0003-1120-3498
Sayfa
163–171
Yayın Tarihi
2025-10-31
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⚡ TL;DR(1 Cümlede Hızlı Çıkarım)

These findings suggest that emotional eating and technology use may represent independent emotional regulation pathways rather than interconnected outcomes during middle adolescence.

📌 3 Maddede Bu Makale

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Amaç & Hipotez:Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between alexithymia, emotional eating, and problematic digital media use (internet and smartphone addiction) during middle adolescence, examining both mediation and moderation models.
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Temel Bulgular & Veri:Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 27, 2024 and January 1, 2025 with 234 participants aged 14-17 years.
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Sonuç & Katkı:These findings suggest that emotional eating and technology use may represent independent emotional regulation pathways rather than interconnected outcomes during middle adolescence.
🔬Tür:Modelleme & Sayısal Simülasyon
📍Kapsam:2024 Verileri
⚙️Değişkenler:Alexithymia · emotional eating · internet addiction

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between alexithymia, emotional eating, and problematic digital media use (internet and smartphone addiction) during middle adolescence, examining both mediation and moderation models. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 27, 2024 and January 1, 2025 with 234 participants aged 14-17 years. Participants completed validated self-report measures assessing alexithymia (TAS-20), emotional eating (EES-C), internet addiction (IAT-SF), and smartphone addiction (SAS-SF). Multiple linear regression, mediation (PROCESS Model 4), and moderation (PROCESS Model 1) analyses were performed. Results: The mean TAS-20 score was 55.1 (SD = 10.0), indicating moderate alexithymia, with girls scoring significantly higher than boys (p < 0.001, d = 0.53). Overall, 50.2% of the participants were classified as having smartphone addiction, with a higher prevalence in females (57.6%) than males (39.4%). The mean EES-C score was 58.2 (SD = 21.0), with no significant gender differences. Moderate positive correlations were found between alexithymia and both internet addiction (r = 0.44) and smartphone addiction (r = 0.33; both p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that internet addiction (B = 0.436, p < 0.001), but not smartphone addiction, significantly predicted alexithymia. Mediation analysis showed no significant indirect effect of emotional eating between alexithymia and internet addiction. Moderation analysis also revealed that alexithymia did not significantly moderate the emotional eating–internet addiction link. Conclusion: While alexithymia was directly associated with problematic internet and smartphone use, emotional eating did not mediate or moderate these relationships. These findings suggest that emotional eating and technology use may represent independent emotional regulation pathways rather than interconnected outcomes during middle adolescence.

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Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Lanpir, A. D., Akarsu, Ö., Güzeldere, H. K. B., Düzgün, K., Us, M. C. (2025). Lost in Emotion and Connection: The Interaction Between Alexithymia, Emotional Eating, and Digital Addictions in Middle Adolescence. Çocuk Dergisi, Cilt: 25 Sayı: 3, 163–171. https://doi.org/10.26650/jchild.2025.1686689

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