biostudies-literatureUnknown63(5)Dominte MERecent studies have highlighted high levels of emotional eating during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but have not satisfactorily explained these changing eating patterns. Here, we tested one potential explanatory model broadly based on a biosocial model of emotional eating. Specifically, we examined the extent to which negative emotional reactivity was associated with emotional eating, as well as the mediating role of fear of COVID-19. A total of 474 women from Romania were asked to complete measures of emotional eating, negative emotional reactivity, and fear of COVID-19. Mediation analysis showed that higher negative emotional reactivity was significantly and directly associated with greater emotional eating. This direct relationship was also mediated by fear of COVID-19. These results highlight one possible route through which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in elevated rates of emotional eating, though further research is needed.Scandinavian journal of psychology462-467https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9347635biostudies-literatureFear of COVID-19 mediates the relationship between negative emotional reactivity and emotional eating.PMC9347635Swami VEnea VDominte MEfalseFear of COVID-19 mediates the relationship between negative emotional reactivity and emotional eating.Recent studies have highlighted high levels of emotional eating during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but have not satisfactorily explained these changing eating patterns. Here, we tested one potential explanatory model broadly based on a biosocial model of emotional eating. Specifically, we examined the extent to which negative emotional reactivity was associated with emotional eating, as well as the mediating role of fear of COVID-19. A total of 474 women from Romania were asked to complete measures of emotional eating, negative emotional reactivity, and fear of COVID-19. Mediation analysis showed that higher negative emotional reactivity was significantly and directly associated with greater emotional eating. This direct relationship was also mediated by fear of COVID-19. These results highlight one possible route through which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in elevated rates of emotional eating, though further research is needed.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2025-04-19T05:57:24.077Z2025-02-18T22:44:07.985ZS-EPMC93476353552610510.1111/sjop.12828