Self-Compassion and the Risk of Exercise Addiction in College Students

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between self-compassion and the risk of exercise addiction (EA) in Collegestudents.

In this cross-sectional study, the statistical population was all students from University of Tehran. In this study, 250 students who exercised in the university fitness centers were evaluated based on the Exercise Addiction Scale.Forty of themwere assigned to either an high risk (scoring ≥ 24 on the scale) or a low risk(scoring 23-13 on the scale) EA group session (Each group, n=20). They then completed Self-Compassion and Eating Disorders Scales. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and MANOVA.

The results indicated that prevalence of exercise addiction in college students is 8% and self-compassion is negatively related to exercise addiction.The results also revealed that, compared with students Less exposed to EA the students exposed to EA are more self-critical and tend to be isolated and catastrophic in the face of adversity and stressful situations.

This study suggests EA risk has an inverse relationship to self-compassion in college students. Raising self-compassion may be a useful addition to EA problem prevention and treatment interventions.