The mediating role of perceived stress and avoidance in the relationship between authenticity and exercise

This study's main aim is to investigate the mediating role of perceived stress and avoidance in the relationship between authenticity and exercise addiction. In this study, which is conducted in a correlational design, a total of 285 individuals aged between 18-45 who exercise regularly were included. The participants were given a Personal Information Form, Authenticity Scale, Exercise Addiction Scale (EAS-21), Cognitive-Behavioral Avoidance Scale (CBAS), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The findings indicate authenticity negatively predicts exercise addiction (r=-.17, p<0.01). It was demonstrated that avoidance fully mediates the relationship between authenticity and exercise addiction (β=-.07, p>.05). Nonetheless, a mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between authenticity and exercise addiction could not be found significantly. This research has revealed the mediating effect of avoidance in the relationship between authenticity and exercise addiction. The findings are discussed based on the data in the literature.