Emotional clarity, adult attachment and emotional eating

This study aims to investigate the relationship between emotional clarity, adult attachment and emotional eating. The research was carried out during the Coronavirus epidemic, in two periods (self- quarantine and new normal periods) with and without governmental restrictions. The research was carried out with a total of 194 participants; 69 in the self- quarantine period and 125 in the new normal period; between the ages of 20-45. In order to measure emotional eating scores, eating with positive and negative emotions subscale of “Emotional Appetite Questionnaire” were used. Emotional clarity subscale of “Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Strategies” were used to measure emotional clarity . Additionally, in order to measure attachment dimensions, “Experiences in Close Relationships- Revised” were used.

As a result, a positive correlation between attachment anxiety and emotional clarity and attachment avoidance and emotional clarity were found in new-normal period. In this period, no significant relationship was found between emotional eating and attachment dimensions and emotional clarity. In self-quarantine period, a positive relationship between attachment anxiety and eating with positive emotions and attachment anxiety and emotional clarity were found. However, no significant difference was found between avoidant attachment dimension and emotional eating and emotional clarity. The findings were evaluated in the light of the literature and suggestions for future studies were presented.