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Spenser Hughes Masters Thesis.pdf (1.31 MB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Positive Emotions, Expressive Suppression, and Food Intake among College Students
Author Info
Hughes, Spenser
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1408917206
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2014, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Abstract
Historically, negative emotions have been linked to increased eating. However, recent evidence suggests that the effort to regulate emotions, rather than the emotions themselves, may help explain overeating. Although prior research suggested that suppressing negative emotions leads to higher food intake, the relationship between suppression of positive emotions and consumption has not been explored. The present study contrasted negative and positive emotions conditions to assess expressive suppression's effect on eating among female undergraduates (N = 86; Mage = 19.01). Participants were assigned to one of four conditions: expressive suppression and a positive emotions induction, expressive suppression and a negative emotions induction, normal expression and a positive emotions induction, or normal expression and a negative emotions induction. Participants were offered M&Ms after the induction, ostensibly as part of a taste test. Positive and negative emotions were measured using the PANAS. Happiness and sadness were assessed using visual analogue scales. Contrary to hypotheses, women consumed more in the positive emotions conditions than in the negative emotions conditions. Positive emotions and happiness did not predict intake in the positive emotions conditions. Negative emotions did not predict consumption in the negative conditions, but sadness marginally predicted eating. There were no differences in candy intake between women who suppressed their emotions and women who expressed their emotions. Several factors such as the strength of the induced emotions and differences in familiarity with the induction stimuli may account for these unexpected findings. The results of this study add to the growing literature suggesting that positive emotions contribute to unhealthy food consumption.
Committee
Janice Kiecolt-Glaser (Advisor)
Charles Emery (Committee Member)
Michael Vasey (Committee Member)
Pages
52 p.
Subject Headings
Psychology
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Citations
Hughes, S. (2014).
Positive Emotions, Expressive Suppression, and Food Intake among College Students
[Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1408917206
APA Style (7th edition)
Hughes, Spenser.
Positive Emotions, Expressive Suppression, and Food Intake among College Students.
2014. Ohio State University, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1408917206.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Hughes, Spenser. "Positive Emotions, Expressive Suppression, and Food Intake among College Students." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1408917206
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
osu1408917206
Download Count:
2,291
Copyright Info
© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.