GENDER-BASED DIFFERENCES IN TRAIT SELF-CONTROL, EMOTIONAL EATING AND PERSONALITY FACTORS AND THE MEDIATING IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL EATING ON THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN NEUROTICISM PERSONALITY TRAIT AND TRAIT SELF-CONTROL: INSIGHTS FROM VARSITY STUDENT-ATHLETES

Abstract

Background: Psychological factors such as neuroticism, emotional eating, and trait self-control play an important role in shaping the well-being and performance of varsity athletes. Student-athletes frequently experience heightened emotional and physical stress due to the dual demands of academics and competitive sport, making them vulnerable to emotion-driven behaviors. However, limited evidence exists on how emotional eating may function as a mediating mechanism linking neuroticism with self-control, particularly within this unique population.

Objective: This study aimed to examine whether emotional eating mediates the relationship between neuroticism and trait self-control among varsity student-athletes and to identify gender-based differences across these psychological constructs.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 701 varsity athletes (351 males; 350 females) from seven universities in Lahore, Pakistan. All participants were active competitors at intervarsity, national, or international levels. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of demographic information, the Big Five Inventory-10, the Emotional Eater Questionnaire, and a 10-item self-control scale. Mediation analysis estimated pathways between neuroticism, emotional eating, and trait self-control, while independent samples t-tests compared gender differences. Statistical significance was set at p < .05.

Results: Higher neuroticism significantly predicted greater emotional eating (β = 0.329, p = 0.0004). Emotional eating was positively associated with self-control (β = 0.184, p = 0.0001). Neuroticism showed a significant direct negative effect on self-control (β = −0.242, p = 0.0235), while the indirect effect through emotional eating remained significant (β = 0.061, 95% CI [0.020–0.116]). Gender analyses showed males had higher self-control (M = 3.14) and conscientiousness (M = 6.66), whereas females scored higher in neuroticism (M = 6.15) and emotional eating (M = 13.56).

Conclusion: Emotional eating partially mediated the association between neuroticism and trait self-control, offering new insight into how emotional mechanisms shape regulatory behaviors in varsity athletes. Gender-specific differences further highlighted the need for tailored psychological and nutritional support to enhance athletes’ emotional well-being and performance.