The role of perfectionism and shame in understanding excessive exercise tendencies.

Abstract

Previous research has identified perfectionistic traits and negative affect as developmental and maintenance factors for exercise dependence. However, the interplay between these has not yet been determined. The current study aimed to gain a better understanding of how perfectionism, shame, and emotion regulation difficulties may help inform excessive exercise tendencies. Eighty-six female post-secondary students were asked to complete self-report questionnaires and were randomly assigned to view shame-based advertisements either related specifically to physical activity or more general content. The findings propose that shame as a function of perfectionism level, may explain symptoms of excessive exercise. Specifically, socially-prescribed perfectionism appeared to be a unique predictor of exercise cravings and emotion regulation difficulties. Furthermore, results suggest that impulse control difficulties may lead to a reduction in duration of exercise participation. Together, shame and perfectionism seem to be implicated in the development of excessive exercise tendencies. Future research should further consider the interrelatedness of perfectionism, shame and emotion regulation that may help explain not only excessive exercise tendencies, but also exercise avoidance.