Fitness-related self-conscious emotions and risk for exercise addiction: examining the mediating role of passion

Fitness-related self-conscious emotions (SCEs) have been proposed as antecedents of exercise addiction (EA). However, the potential mechanisms underlying such a relationship remain unexplored. The present study examined the relationship between fitness-related SCEs and risk of EA, as well as the mediating role of passion for exercise. A total of 296 male runners (M = 40.35 years, SD = 10.69) completed a survey assessing weekly exercise frequency/hours, fitness-related SCEs, passion for exercise, and the risk of EA. The relationships between the study variables were examined using structural equation modeling. After controlling for age and weekly exercise frequency/hours, fitness-related SCEs of shame, guilt, and hubristic pride were positively associated with risk of EA. However, while guilt had direct effects on risk of EA, shame and hubristic pride showed indirect effects via obsessive passion. The results of the study are discussed, and some practical implications and future research directions are presented

The development and validation of the Videogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ)

Gaming motives are important factors for explaining individual differences in videogame-related behaviors. The aim of the present study was to develop a new comprehensive but brief instrument–the Videogaming Motives Questionnaire (VMQ)–which embraces some of the most relevant gaming motives. In a first study, a pilot exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with data from 140 undergraduates was performed on items from twelve potential motives. This identified eight main factors: recreation, social interaction, coping, violent reward, fantasy, cognitive development, customization, and competition. In Studies 2 and 3, an EFA and a confirmatory factor analysis were performed on two independent samples of 407 adolescents and 260 young adults, respectively. The VMQ presented a robust eight-factor structure, with all scales showing adequate reliability indices. In reference to criterion validity, all motives presented specific associations with hours spent playing videogames, disordered gaming, and game genre preferences. More specifically, and in both adolescents and young adults, social interaction was the main motive related to time spent gaming, whereas disordered gaming was related to both coping and social interaction motives. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the VMQ is a brief and psychometrically appropriate tool for assessing the most relevant videogaming motives

Examining the reliability of the scores of self-report instruments assessing problematic exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims: Problematic exercise (PE) has mainly been assessed with self-report instruments. However, summarized evidence on the reliability of the scores derived from such instruments has yet to be provided. The present study reports a reliability generalization meta-analysis of six well-known self-report measures of PE (Commitment to Exercise Scale, Compulsive Exercise Test, Exercise Addiction Inventory, Exercise Dependence Questionnaire, Exercise Dependence Scale, and Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire). Methods: Pooled effect sizes were computed using a random-effect model employing a restricted maximum likelihood estimation method. Univariable and multivariable meta-regressions analyses were employed for testing moderator variables. Results: Data retrieved from 255 studies (741 independent samples, N = 254,174) identified three main groups of findings: (i) pooled alpha values that, ranging from 0.768 to 0.930 for global scores and from 0.615 to 0.907 for subscale scores, were found to be sensitive to sociodemographic and methodological characteristics; (ii) reliability induction rates of 47.58%; and (iii) the virtually non-existent testing of the assumptions required for the proper applicability of alpha. Data unavailability prevented the provision of summarized reliability estimates in terms of temporal stability. Discussion: These findings highlight the need to improve reliability reporting of the scores of self-reported instruments of PE in primary studies. This implies providing both prior justification for the appropriateness of the index employed and reliability data for all the subpopulation of interest. The values presented could be used as a reference both for comparisons with those obtained in future primary studies and for correcting measurement-related artefacts in quantitative meta-analytic research concerning PE

A review of the components of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments

Backgrounds: The range of theoretical conceptualizations of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments makes it difficult to identify the components that define this phenomenon. A better understanding of the underlying components of problematic exercise may contribute to progress toward providing scientific evidence that allows for deciding whether problematic exercise should be considered a substantive mental health disorder. The objective of the present review was to examine and compare, through a content analysis of their items, the components of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments identified in a recent systematic review. Methods: A total of 33 components of problematic exercise were identified in the 17 assessment instruments included in the present review. Results: The results show that, despite the lack of consensus in the operational definition of their factors and the variety of ways of wording their items, the instruments reflect some common components that might indicate core criteria (i.e., salience, withdrawal, and mood modification) or candidate components (i.e., conflict, and continuance despite problems) of problematic exercise. However, other components of different nature were shown to be specific to some of the problematic exercise conceptualizations on which the assessment instruments are based. Conclusion: In the interest of reaching a consensus that allows to advance in this research field, further studies are needed to resolve which components are inherently problematic

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and morbid exercise behaviour

Background: The present study aimed to quantify the relationship between body dissatisfaction and morbid exercise behaviour (MEB). Methods: The electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO, and Dissertations and Theses Global were searched from inception to September 2020. Pooled effect sizes corrected for sampling errors (r +) were computed using a bare-bones meta-analysis. The robustness of the results was examined by influence analyses. The presence of moderators was examined by inspection of the variance in r + attributable to sampling errors and 80% credibility intervals, followed by subgroup analysis and univariable/multivariable meta-regressions. Publication bias was examined by visual inspection of funnel plot symmetry, cumulative meta-analysis, and Egger's test. Results: A total of 41 effect sizes from 33 studies (n = 8747) were retrieved. Results showed a significant and near to moderate effect size (r + = 0.267, 95% CI = 0.226 to 0.307), and this did not differ by gender, BMI, age, percentage of Whites, study quality, or MEB measure. Conversely, effect sizes were found to be stronger in published and more recently conducted studies. Conclusion: The findings indicate that body dissatisfaction is one of the likely causes underlying MEB. This suggests the need for further longitudinal research aimed at confirming the potential causal nature of this relationship

Psychometric properties of problematic exercise measures: a systematic review

The present study summarized, compared, and critically appraised the methodological quality of the most used self-report measures assessing problematic exercise (PE) (i.e. CES, CET, EAI, EDQ, EDS, OEQ). A pre-registered systematic review was conducted in accordance with the 2018 COSMIN criteria and PRISMA methodology. Six electronic databases were searched for studies developing, validating and/or testing the psychometric properties of the psychometric instruments. Data from 48 studies comprising the six original instruments and their eight modified versions were included. The methodological quality (risk-bias) of the development studies of all 14 instruments was rated as ‘inadequate’. Limited evidence base in support of most of the measurement properties under examination was found, with the most relevant being that concerning content validity. Findings call into question (i) the accuracy and usefulness of the body of evidence obtained by employing these instruments, and (ii) the advisability of persisting with its use, at least until the issues identified in the present study have been adequately addressed. Obtaining further evidence on the measurement properties of existing self-report PE instruments as well as providing them in early stages of development for those to be proposed in the future should be a priority for research in this field

Morbid exercise behaviour and eating disorders: a meta-analysis

Background and aims: This study was aimed at examining the relationship between self-reported symptoms of morbid exercise behaviour (MEB) and eating disorders (ED) using meta-analytic techniques. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO and Scopus. Random effects models were used to compute pooled effect sizes estimates (r). The robustness of the summarized estimates was examined through sensitivity analyses by removing studies one at a time. Results: Sixty-six studies comprising 135 effect-sizes (N 5 21,816) were included. The results revealed: (a) small-sized relationship in the case of bulimic symptoms (r 5 0.19), (b) small-(r 5 0.28) to medium-sized relationships (r 5 0.41) in the case of body/eating concerns, (c) medium-sized relationships in the case of overall ED symptoms (r 5 0.35) and dietary restraint (r 5 0.42). Larger effect sizes were observed in the case of overall ED symptoms in clinical, younger, and thinner populations, as well as when employing a continuously-scored instrument for assessing ED or the Compulsive Exercise Test for assessing MEB. Larger effect sizes were also found in female samples when the ED outcome was dietary restraint. Conclusions: The identified gaps in the literature suggest that future research on the topic may benefit from: (a) considering a range of clinical and non-clinical populations in terms of exercise modalities or diagnosed ED, (b) addressing a wide range of ED symptomatology, and (c) employing longitudinal designs that clarify the temporal direction of the relationship under consideration

An exploratory examination of the relationship between symptoms of depression and exercise addiction among undergraduate recreational exercisers

Research has consistently demonstrated an association between depressive disorders and behavioral addictions. However, the relationship between depression and exercise addiction has rarely been investigated. The present study examined the relationship between self-reported depression and exercise addiction symptoms. A sample of 691 Spanish undergraduate leisure exercisers (59% males; Mage = 21.25 years; SDage = 2.94) completed a self-report survey. Two regression analyses employing a maximum likelihood robust estimation method were conducted controlling for the effects of age, gender, BMI, perceived health status, exercise frequency, and risk of eating disorders. In the first regression analysis, depression symptoms (β = .275) explained a significant amount of variance in exercise addiction symptoms (33%). In the second regression analysis, exercise addiction symptoms (β = .320) explained a significant amount of variance in depression symptoms (22%). Symptoms of depression and exercise addiction may simultaneously occur among leisure exercisers. These findings suggest the need for further longitudinal research examining the temporal patterns and directionality between depression and exercise addiction

Theoretical conceptualisations of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments: a systematic review

Background and aims: The aim of the present systematic review was to identify psychometric tools developed to assess problematic exercise in order to identify and compare their theoretical con-ceptualisations on which they are based. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Web of Science, Scielo, PsychINFO, PsycTEST and SCOPUS from their inception to January 2020. Results: Seventeen assessment instruments met the eligibility criteria to be included in the present review. The instruments were classified according to their conceptualisation into five groups: (i) problematic exercise as an end of an exercise continuum, (ii) problematic exercise as a means of regulating body size and weight, (iii) problematic exercise as dependence, (iv) problematic exercise as a behavioural addiction and (v) no clear conceptualisation. Discussion: The results suggest that the conceptualisations of the assessment instruments have resulted in a strong dichotomy in relation to the primary or secondary character of the problematic exercise that might be limiting the capacity of the instruments to adequately capture the multidimensionality of this construct. Conclusions: Given the interest in understanding the complexity surrounding the problematic exercise, future research should develop more comprehensive definitions of this construct. This would allow a greater conceptual consensus to be reached that would allow progress to be made in the study of the problematic exercise