Emotion Dysregulation as a Mediator of the Relationship between Anxiety, Compulsive Exercise and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID15715402
AuthorsCristina Cuesta-Zamora (0000-0003-1121-9561, University of Castilla-La Mancha), Irene González-Martí (0000-0002-7753-2983, University of Castilla-La Mancha), Luis Miguel García López (0000-0001-5393-0090, University of Castilla-La Mancha), Luis Miguel García-López (University of Castilla-La Mancha), Laura Ros (0000-0001-5567-8589, University of Castilla-La Mancha), Carolyn R Plateau (0000-0002-1256-1353, Loughborough University), J J Ricarte (0000-0002-7040-3249, University of Castilla-La Mancha, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume8
Issue12
Pages1088-1088
Publication date2021-11-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children8121088
PMID34943286
OpenAlexW3217157511
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited76

Anxiety has been suggested to be a key contributing factor for compulsive exercise, however, existing literature has demonstrated contradictory relationships between anxiety and compulsive exercise among adolescents. According to the Emotional Cascade Model (ECM), factors such as rumination and emotional suppression may mediate the association between affect and exercise. The current study therefore aimed to investigate whether rumination and emotional suppression mediate the relationship between anxiety and compulsive exercise in predicting ED symptoms in adolescents. Questionnaires assessing compulsive exercise, anxiety, depressive rumination, emotional suppression, and ED symptoms were completed by 212 adolescent males (Mage = 13.39, SD = 1.22) and 189 adolescent females (Mage = 13.64, SD = 1.29). The structural equation model showed indirect effects between anxiety and compulsive exercise through rumination and emotional suppression in males but not in females. Moreover, anxiety had an indirect effect on eating disorder symptoms through rumination, emotional suppression and compulsive exercise in both males and females. In line with ECM, the results suggest that rumination and emotional suppression may have a key role in the association between anxiety, compulsive exercise and eating disorder symptoms in adolescents. These findings suggest that compulsive exercise may be used as a dysfunctional coping mechanism to escape from a negative emotional cascade generated by the interaction of anxiety, rumination and emotional suppression. Future longitudinal studies to test the role of compulsive exercise as a dysfunctional behaviour in the ECM are needed

Anxiety · Cognition · Disordered eating · Dysfunctional family · Eating disorders · Emotional dysregulation · Psychiatry · Rumination · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology

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