Investigating the Experiences of Individuals with Emotional Eating and Identifying Their Needs for Intervention: A Thematic Analysis Study

Aysu Bayram Saptır; Tuğba Seda Çolak Turan

doi:10.47215/aji.1632484

Research Article

2025, 13(1), pp. 1-19

Investigating the Experiences of Individuals with Emotional Eating and Identifying Their Needs for Intervention: A Thematic Analysis Study

Aysu Bayram Saptır ¹ ^* , Tuğba Seda Çolak Turan ²

¹ Independent Researcher ² Duzce University Education Faculty Psychological Counseling and Guidance
^* Corresponding Author

https://doi.org/10.47215/aji.1632484

Published in Volume 13 Issue 1: 30 Jun 2025

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Abstract

Emotional eating, characterized by a propensity for excessive consumption in response to positive or negative affect, is a primary factor contributing to numerous eating disorders. This phenomenon is prevalent among individuals experiencing stress and the rapid pace of contemporary life. The present study utilized thematic analysis, a qualitative research methodology, to discern the behavioral patterns of individuals exhibiting emotional eating tendencies. Data were gathered from participants using semi-structured, open-ended questions to explore their emotional eating behaviors. The study comprised twenty-two participants, including 12 females and 10 males. Data collection was conducted via 40-45 minute interviews using Zoom online video conferencing software. The findings indicate that emotional eating is precipitated by negative emotions such as loneliness and stress, as well as social influences. It is associated with adverse outcomes including weight gain, body image concerns, and feelings of guilt. Participants reported employing compensatory strategies, such as distraction techniques and dieting, to manage emotional eating; however, these methods proved ineffective in the long term, highlighting the necessity of addressing underlying causes. This study elucidates that the complexity of emotional eating is influenced by various individual and social factors. The participants emphasized the potential of mindfulness-based intervention programs, suggesting that such approaches could serve as effective components in multidimensional intervention strategies aimed at reducing emotional eating behaviors. Consequently, this study offers practical implications, advocating the incorporation of mindfulness-based strategies into individual, psychoeducational, and clinical interventions to mitigate emotional eating.

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AMA 10th edition

In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Bayram Saptır A, Çolak Turan TS. Investigating the Experiences of Individuals with Emotional Eating and Identifying Their Needs for Intervention: A Thematic Analysis Study. Asian Journal of Instruction. 2025;13(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.47215/aji.1632484

APA 6th edition

In-text citation: (Bayram Saptır & Çolak Turan, 2025)
Reference: Bayram Saptır, A., & Çolak Turan, T. S. (2025). Investigating the Experiences of Individuals with Emotional Eating and Identifying Their Needs for Intervention: A Thematic Analysis Study. Asian Journal of Instruction, 13(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.47215/aji.1632484

Chicago

In-text citation: (Bayram Saptır and Çolak Turan, 2025)
Reference: Bayram Saptır, Aysu, and Tuğba Seda Çolak Turan. "Investigating the Experiences of Individuals with Emotional Eating and Identifying Their Needs for Intervention: A Thematic Analysis Study". Asian Journal of Instruction 2025 13 no. 1 (2025): 1-19. https://doi.org/10.47215/aji.1632484

Harvard

In-text citation: (Bayram Saptır and Çolak Turan, 2025)
Reference: Bayram Saptır, A., and Çolak Turan, T. S. (2025). Investigating the Experiences of Individuals with Emotional Eating and Identifying Their Needs for Intervention: A Thematic Analysis Study. Asian Journal of Instruction, 13(1), pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.47215/aji.1632484

MLA

In-text citation: (Bayram Saptır and Çolak Turan, 2025)
Reference: Bayram Saptır, Aysu et al. "Investigating the Experiences of Individuals with Emotional Eating and Identifying Their Needs for Intervention: A Thematic Analysis Study". Asian Journal of Instruction, vol. 13, no. 1, 2025, pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.47215/aji.1632484

Vancouver

In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Bayram Saptır A, Çolak Turan TS. Investigating the Experiences of Individuals with Emotional Eating and Identifying Their Needs for Intervention: A Thematic Analysis Study. Asian Journal of Instruction. 2025;13(1):1-19. https://doi.org/10.47215/aji.1632484

Keywords

emotional eating, mindfulness, thematic analysis, qualitative research

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