The Effect of Physical Activity and ACE Scores on Psychological vs. Physiological Addiction

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Addiction is a growing problem in the United States. Rehabilitation facilities have exercise as a component of their program, yet these facilities are not always within reach of every person with addictive tendencies. Understanding that addiction is a chronic disease that is treatable with integrated treatment methods, it’s imperative to find the root of addictive tendencies. PURPOSE: Determine if there is a triangular relationship between addiction, physical activity, and adverse childhood experience (ACE) scores, looking specifically at psychological and physiological addiction types. METHODS: Data was collected from 25 females and 6 males, recruited from West Liberty University via email. Participants completed a self-reported online anonymous 4-section survey including basic demographics, The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), The Health-Resiliency-Stress Questionnaire Part D (HRSQ), and addictive tendencies through questions regarding the criteria for psychological and physiological addiction from the DSM. Two continuous moderation analyses were run concerning the two dependent variables, psychological, and physiological addiction. Physical activity levels (minutes per week) were the moderator, and ACE scores (total ACE scores) were the predictor. RESULTS: There was a significant main effect between psychological addiction, and ACE scores p = 0.013. There was a nonsignificant interaction found between physical activity levels (minutes per week) on ACE scores and psychological addiction, p = 0.433. There was a nonsignificant interaction found between physical activity levels (minutes per week) on ACE scores and physiological addiction, p = 0.452. CONCLUSION: Continuous moderation analyses revealed no moderating effect among physical activity and addiction type as ACE scores as the predictor variable.