Abstract

UVA, Marta; PATRAO, Ivone; COSTA, Rui  and  PIMENTA, Filipa. Self-control in adolescents: a mediator between food addiction and insomnia?. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2024, vol.25, n.1, pp.67-77.  Epub Mar 31, 2024. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/24psd250107.

Eating habits and circadian rhythms are influenced by behaviours that impact adolescent health. Food addiction (FA) is linked to weak emotional regulation and impulsivity. However, evidence on its impact on sleep remains limited. Thus, this study aims to explore whether FA predicts insomnia in adolescents and whether self-control (both functional and dysfunctional) mediates this relationship. The sample consisted of 1566 young individuals attending schools in Madeira, aged between 12 and 19 years (M =14.79, SD = 1.89), who completed an online questionnaire including sociodemographic data, the Portuguese version of the Yale Food Addiction Scale (P-YFAS), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Brief Self-Control Scale (EBAC). A parallel mediation model was conducted, with gender and age as covariates. There is a significant positive direct effect of FA on insomnia (β =.068, p = <.001) and a positive indirect effect of FA on insomnia, mediated by the Dysfunctional Self-Control dimension (β = .224). The results highlight the relevance of developing interventions focused on youth impulsivity, providing strategies aimed at promoting impulse control, sleep hygiene (also addressing compulsive eating behaviour), and making pro-health decisions.

Keywords : Food addiction; Insomnia; Functional self-control; Dysfunctional self-control.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in English     · English ( pdf )