Perceived stress, stress management, and unmanaged stress: Associations with disordered eating behaviors and intuitive eating among first- and continuing-generation college students

Objective: Examine associations of stress indicators with disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (DEABs) and intuitive eating (IE), and whether these differ between first-generation (FGCS) and continuing-generation college students (CGCS). Participants: College students (N = 890; 41.6% FGCS). Methods: Generation-status-stratified modified Poisson regressions and linear regressions examined associations of perceived stress, stress management, and unmanaged stress with DEABs and IE. Results: Among FGCS, high perceived stress was associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors (PR = 1.33) and body weight/shape concerns (PR = 1.39); poor stress management was associated with binge-eating symptoms (PR = 1.39) and lower IE (β=-1.45); unmanaged stress was associated with binge eating (PR = 1.48) and lower IE (β=-1.11). Among CGCS, perceived stress, poor stress management, and unmanaged stress were associated with binge-eating symptoms (PRs = 1.45–1.68), and lower IE (β=-0.66 to −1.18). Conclusions: Associations between stress and eating behaviors suggested differences by college-going generation status. Future research is needed to clarify potential subgroup heterogeneity and underlying mechanisms.