The role of Self-Talk and Inner Voices in Disordered Eating and Loneliness

Abstract

The lockdown implemented during the covid-19 pandemic has created an environment wherein many are relying on self-talk and inner voices to compensate for the lack of face-to-face communication and increased loneliness. This research investigates how disordered eating is associated with; different factors of self-talk, self-talk frequency, nature of inner voices, and loneliness. To the knowledge of the author, this is the first study analyzing the relationship between disordered eating and factors of self-talk. 105 participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire, Self-Talk Scale, Revised version of the Beliefs about Voices questionnaire, and 3-Item Loneliness Scale. The results indicated that those who have high levels of disordered eating symptoms, also have higher self-talk frequency, and experience higher levels of self-talk factors (social assessment, self-criticism, self-reinforcement, and self- management), than those with low severity of the same. Furthermore, analyses indicated that people who experience more intense problems with food intake also experience higher levels of malevolent and omnipotent; inner voices, and loneliness as compared to those who present less intense disordered eating symptoms. Linear regression analyses revealed, inner voice malevolence, inner voice omnipotence, and self-talk frequency predicted disordered eating. Similarly, multiple regression analyses found that all self-talk factors, and inner voice malevolence and omnipotence predicted the same. Moreover, mediation analyses revealed, self- talk frequency predicts disordered eating when inner voice malevolence and omnipotence are mediators. This research study’s results can be used among many to formulate and adapt therapeutic approaches which target voice-hearing experiences, for treating disordered eating symptomology.