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Positive Emotions, Expressive Suppression, and Food Intake among College Students

Hughes, Spenser

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
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.
Janice Kiecolt-Glaser (Advisor)
Charles Emery (Committee Member)
Michael Vasey (Committee Member)
52 p.

Recommended Citations

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)