Do changes in affect moderate the association between attachment anxiety and body dissatisfaction in children? An experimental study by means of the Trier Social Stress Test

•Research found an association between attachment anxiety and body dissatisfaction.•However, the moderating role of affect has not yet been experimentally examined.•This study used the Trier Social Stress Test for Children to cause changes in affect.•Results show that positive affect moderates the association.

ObjectivePrevious studies have already found a positive association between attachment and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in children and adolescents. However, to our knowledge, no experimental studies have examined whether changes in negative and/or positive affect moderate the association between attachment anxiety and body dissatisfaction in children.MethodA controlled laboratory setting was used to investigate whether changes in state negative and/or positive affect moderate the association between attachment anxiety and body satisfaction in a sample of 81 children (Mage = 11.74). The changes in state affect were caused by the exposure to a performance-related stressor using the Trier Social Stress Test for Children.ResultsChildren with high levels of attachment anxiety reported a decrease in body satisfaction, but only if the TSST-C led to a decrease in their positive affect.DiscussionEarly detection and intervention programs may benefit from addressing insecure attachment and maladaptive emotion regulation in children.