Job Stress and Binge Eating Behavior: A Correlational Study with Anxiety as A Mediator and Coping Strategies as A Moderator Among Thai Working-Age Adults

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between job stress and binge eating behavior among Thai working-age adults, with anxiety as a mediator and coping strategies as moderators. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 404 working-age adults in Thailand through self-report questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression, mediation, moderation, and one-way ANOVA. The findings showed that job stress was positively associated with binge eating behavior and significantly predicted anxiety. When anxiety was included in the model, the direct effect of job stress on binge eating behavior became non-significant, indicating full mediation. Coping strategies also moderated the relationship between job stress and binge eating behavior, with adaptive coping weakening the relationship, while maladaptive coping showed an effect opposite to the original hypothesis. In addition, gender, education level, and weekly working hours significantly moderated this relationship. These findings suggest that anxiety and coping processes play important roles in explaining the relationship between job stress and binge eating behavior among Thai working-age adults.