Acceptance or Challenge? The Effects of Parental Confirmation on College Students’ (Un)Healthy Eating in the U.S. and China

This study examines cultural differences in the associations between parental confirmation and college students’ eating-related motives and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in China and the U.S. Utilizing a sample of 413 Chinese and 198 American undergraduate students, we found that parental acceptance was positively associated with intrinsic motivation for physical health in both cultures, which in turn was associated with healthier eating for U.S. Americans and less disordered eating for Chinese. Acceptance was negatively associated with extrinsic motivation for social conformity, which was positively associated with disordered eating for U.S. Americans. However, challenge was positively associated with intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for Chinese, but the association was not significant for Americans. The findings highlight the critical role of parental confirmation in promoting children’s healthy dietary behaviors, particularly as they navigate disruptive times, and the need to consider cultural contexts in health family communication interventions.