The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Relationship Between Family Functioning and Eating Disorder

This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between family functioning and eating disorder. The research design was descriptive-correlational. From the female adolescents’ population of Nourabad in the academic year of 1398-1399, a total of 260 high school students were selected via multistage cluster sampling method and were tested by Family Assessment Device (Epstein, Baldwin & Bishop, 1983), Eating Attitudes Test (Garner, Olmsted, Bohr & Garfinkel, 1982) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (1961). To analyze the data structural equation modeling was conducted. The results showed that the direct effect of family functioning on self-esteem, the direct effect of self-esteem on eating disorder were significantly negative and the direct effect of family functioning on eating disorder was significantly positive. Also, results showed that the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between family functioning and eating disorder was significant. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that family functioning and self-esteem are two important factors affecting adolescents’ eating disorder.