The association between self-compassion and eating disorders among female college students, the mediating role of psychological resilience, and the moderating role of physical exercise.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders among female college students are often accompanied by psychological adjustment difficulties. This study examined the association between self-compassion and eating disorders and investigated the mediating role of psychological resilience and the moderating role of physical exercise. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 876 female college students in China. Standardized measures were used to assess self-compassion, psychological resilience, physical exercise, and eating disorders. A moderated mediation model was tested using SPSS. RESULTS: Self-compassion was negatively associated with eating disorders (β = -11.130, p < 0.001). Psychological resilience significantly mediated this association (β = -7.195, p < 0.001). Physical exercise significantly moderated the direct association between self-compassion and eating disorders (β = 0.230, p < 0.001), with the negative association becoming weaker at higher levels of physical exercise. CONCLUSION: Higher self-compassion was associated with lower levels of eating disorders among female college students, and psychological resilience partially accounted for this association. Physical exercise served as a boundary condition for the direct association. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening self-compassion and psychological resilience while considering individual differences in physical exercise.