| Abstract [eng] |
Eating behaviors, perceived stress and adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults Emilija Lizdenytė. Vilnius: Vilnius University, 2022. 70 p. The aim of this research was to determine the characteristics and associations between eating behaviour, perceived stress and adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults. The participants were adults aged 18-30 (N = 183). Data was collected using a virtual survey design website. Participants were sought on social networks. The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire – R21 (Karlsson et al., 2000), the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen et al., 1983), and the Adaptability Scale (Martin et al., 2012) – are used in the research. The results of the research showed that women had a higher risk of disturbed eating behaviour and perceived stress than men. Younger participants were at higher risk of emotional eating and perceived stress than older participants. Participants with a low BMI were at a higher risk of emotional eating than those with a normal BMI. The use of cognitive-behavioural adaptation strategies was higher among men and the use of affective adaptation strategies was higher among women. Older participants used more cognitive-behavioural adaptation strategies than younger participants. Higher levels of uncontrolled and emotional eating were associated with higher levels of perceived stress and lower use of coping strategies. The disturbed eating behaviour of the participants was predicted by gender, BMI and perceived stress. The research will contribute to further understanding of eating behaviour, perceived stress and adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic and to further research in this area. Keywords: eating behaviour, perceived stress, adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
