Psychological distress and food neophobia: the mediating role of food choice motives among university students

Background: Food neophobia, defined as the reluctance to try unfamiliar foods, reduces dietary diversity and quality in young adults. University students, often subjected to psychological discomfort including sadness, anxiety, and stress, may be especially susceptible to restrictive eating behaviors. This study examined the link be-tween psychological distress and food neophobia, focusing on the mediating role of food choice motives in Turkish students. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 801 Turkish university students (232 males and 569 females). The data collection included the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ). The body mass in-dex was calculated using self-reported anthropometric measurements. Statistical analyses comprised correlations, multivariable linear regression, and mediation mod-eling using Hayes’ PROCESS macro with 5000 bootstrap samples. Results: Food neophobia was positively associated with all DASS-21 subscales (p < 0.001). Regression analyses identified depression (p < 0.001), stress (p = 0.001), convenience (p = 0.001), and ethical concern (p < 0.001) as significant positive predictors, whereas natural con-tent showed a negative association (p = 0.046). Mediation analyses indicated that food choice motives partially explained the associations between psychological distress and food neophobia. Convenience and ethical concern consistently acted as mediators of risk, while natural content demonstrated a more complex role. Conclusions: Food neophobia among university students is influenced by both psychological distress and food choice motives. Depression and stress exert stronger effects than anxiety, with convenience and ethical concern functioning as consistent mediators.