Physical activity and analogue anxiety disorder symptoms and status: Mediating influence of social physique anxiety

Matthew P Herring,Brett R Gordon,Cillian P Mcdowell,Leanne M Quinn,Mark Lyons

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.163

Matthew P Herring, Brett R Gordon + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.163

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Abstract

BackgroundAssociations between physical activity (PA) and subclinical anxiety disorder symptoms and status, and potential mediating effect of social physique anxiety (SPA), remain understudied. We examined associations between PA and analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD), analogue Social Anxiety Disorder (ASAD), and analogue Panic Disorder (APD) symptoms and status, the mediating effect of SPA, and sex-related differences. MethodsParticipants (n = 470, 23.2 ± 4.8 years, 298 female) completed the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire, seven-day PA recall, and Social Physique Anxiety Scale. ANCOVA examined differences in SPA and anxiety disorder symptoms between PA levels. Logistic regression examined associations between PA and analogue anxiety disorder status. Mediation analyses estimated the effect of change in PA on analogue anxiety disorder odds when SPA was at its mean. ResultsAGAD, ASAD, and APD prevalence was 38.1%, 60.0%, and 15.1%, respectively. AGAD and ASAD symptoms, but not APD symptoms, were significantly lower among higher PA levels. PA was associated with lower odds of AGAD, ASAD, and APD; findings were not significant after adjustment. The pure indirect effect of SPA significantly accounted for 58.2% and 47.9% of the total effect of PA on AGAD and ASAD, respectively; findings were not significant after adjusting for depression. Females showed greater odds of AGAD, ASAD, and APD; mediation findings did not differ based on gender. LimitationsCross-sectional design, self-reported exposure and outcomes, and sample size are potential limitations. ConclusionSymptoms and odds of AGAD and ASAD status were lower among young adults with greater PA; SPA partially mediated associations and warrants experimental investigation.

Highlights

Anxiety disorders are prevalent, debilitating, and costly public health problems, affecting an estimated 264 million people and approximately twice as many females than males (WHO, 2017)
ANOVA showed that age significantly differed be tween physical activity (PA) levels (F(2, 469) = 5.04, p ≤ 0.007); highly-active participants were significantly younger than low-active participants
Logistic regression showed that females had significantly greater odds of analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD) (OR=2.52, 95%CI: 1.67, 3.81, p

Summary

Introduction

Anxiety disorders are prevalent, debilitating, and costly public health problems, affecting an estimated 264 million people and approximately twice as many females than males (WHO, 2017). Robust evi dence has supported that regular PA and exercise have potential pro tective and therapeutic benefits for anxiety symptoms and disorders (Gordon et al, 2017; Herring et al, 2012; Herring et al, 2014a; Herring et al, 2010; McDowell et al, 2019) Those with elevated anxiety tend to be less physically active, with females consistently reporting lower PA levels than males (Hallgren et al, 2019; McDowell et al, 2018). Associations between physical activity (PA) and subclinical anxiety disorder symptoms and status, and potential mediating effect of social physique anxiety (SPA), remain understudied. Conclusion: Symptoms and odds of AGAD and ASAD status were lower among young adults with greater PA; SPA partially mediated associations and warrants experimental investigation

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