The Predictive Role of Negative Perfectionism and Body Image Concern in Explaining Exercise Dependence in Athletes

Exercise dependence can have negative consequences on athletes' physical and psychological health. As psychological factors are known to play an important role in the development of addictive behaviors, this study aims to investigate the predictive role of negative perfectionism and body image concerns in explaining exercise dependence in athletes.

This study was a descriptive cross-sectional correlation conducted on Iranian athletes and members of sports groups in social networks. The research sample comprised one hundred ninety-five individuals selected through the available sampling method. The data collection tool used in this study was a questionnaire that included questions related to dependence on exercise, perfectionism, and body image concerns. The statistical tests used in this study were the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regressions, evaluated through SPSS21 software.

According to the results of the Pearson correlation coefficient, there exists a significant and positive relationship between negative perfectionism, body image concern, and exercise dependence in athletes (p <0.01). Furthermore, based on the regression analysis, negative perfectionism and body image concern can account for seven-tenths percent of the variance in exercise dependence among athletes.

Based on the findings of this study, it is evident that psychological factors like perfectionism and body image concerns play a vital role in determining the sports behaviors of athletes. As a result, sports psychologists can utilize appropriate training and psychological interventions to manage and regulate the sports behaviors of athletes, based on the results of this research.