Abstract

Basing on the multidimensional construct of body image by Cash and colleagues, the present study proposed a moderated mediation model to explain the relationships of two appearance self-schemas: self-evaluative salience and motivational salience (X1; X2), with body image satisfaction (M) and binge eating (Y), hypothesizing the moderation role of gender (W). Participants were 559 emerging adults (18-24 years; 79.6% women) who completed an online anonymous survey. Self-evaluative salience positively predicted binge eating, whilst motivational salience was a negative predictor. Moreover, only for women (but not for men) body image satisfaction was a significant mediator in the relationships between each of the appearance schemas and binge eating. These results suggest interesting implications for research and educational practice.