Perfectionism and disordered eating cognitions with women of color: The moderating role of self-compassion

Extant research suggests perfectionism is a risk factor for developing disordered eating among women, and that self-compassion may mitigate risk factors in their associations with disordered eating pathology. However, less is known about these relations among women of color (WOC). The current study examined the moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perfectionism and disordered eating cognitions with a sample of WOC (N = 132). Results indicated that self-compassion moderated the relationship between perfectionism and disordered eating cognitions, such that the magnitude of the relationship is significantly weaker at higher levels of self-compassion compared to lower levels of self-compassion. Black women also reported higher levels of selfcompassion and lower levels of disordered eating cognitions compared to other WOC. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed.