The Relationship between Alexithymia, Dysmorphic Concern, and Exercise Addiction: The Moderating Effect of Self-Esteem.

Alessio Gori,Eleonora Topino,Mark D Griffiths,Caterina Pucci

doi:10.3390/jpm11111111

Abstract

As with other addictions, exercise addiction can severely impact individuals’ lives and have significant psychophysical consequences. Consequently, the study of the mechanisms involved in this psychopathological condition has great clinical and practical relevance. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to explore the risk factors and protective factors for exercise addiction, with a particular focus on the roles of alexithymia, body image concerns, and self-esteem. A sample of 288 regular exercisers (mean age = 28.35 years, SD = 8.26; 72% females, 18% males) completed the Exercise Addiction Inventory, 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Body Image Concern Inventory, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Data were analyzed by implementing a moderated mediation model. Results showed a significant and positive association between alexithymia and exercise addiction, totally mediated by body image concerns. Furthermore, self-esteem showed a relevant moderating effect, such that at high levels of self-esteem the effect of alexithymia on body image concerns became insignificant. Such data have important implications, highlighting some core variables on which it might be useful to keep a focus in order to elaborate tailored interventions, from both preventive and treatment perspectives.

Highlights

A large body of research has shown that physical activity—defined as any body movement that requires energy expenditure [1]—has positive effects on physical and mental health [2]
Pearson’s r analysis showed that the highest correlation was between exercise addiction and body image concern (r = 0.317, p < 0.01), explaining 30% of the variance
Self-esteem was significantly negatively correlated with body image concerns (r = −0.608, p < 0.01) and alexithymia (r = −0.512, p < 0.01) scores

Summary

Introduction

A large body of research has shown that physical activity—defined as any body movement that requires energy expenditure [1]—has positive effects on physical and mental health [2]. Some authors define exercise addiction as a morbid behavior in which individuals gradually lose control over their exercise habits, act compulsively, and experience negative consequences—both physically, and in their social and/or professional lives [5,6]. In the event of addiction, the negative consequences are ignored, and do not prevent individuals from continuing to exercise [9,10]. Investigations of these factors have been helpful to the field from both preventive and treatment perspectives [11,12]. The present study explores the interaction of risk factors and protective factors in pathways towards exercise addiction among regular exercisers, with a particular focus on the roles of alexithymia, body image concerns, and self-esteem

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion