The effect of social appearance anxiety and personality on exercise addiction

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between exercise addiction, social appearance anxiety, and personality. Within this framework, the study examines the interaction between persons' levels of dependence on exercise habits, their concerns about social appearance, and their personality tendencies. In addition, it aims to identify how symptoms of exercise addiction differ among various groups (addicted, non-addicted, and those at risk of addiction). In particular, concerns related to physical appearance and personality tendencies such as neuroticism or perfectionism are considered key psychosocial factors that may increase the level of addiction. Methods: Within the scope of the study, the Exercise Addiction Scale-21, the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, and the Basic Personality Traits Scale were used. This study, which examined the effects of social appearance anxiety and personality on exercise addiction in individuals at fitness centers in Muş province, included a total of 408 volunteers, 61.8% (252) male and 38.2% (156) female. Participants' personality traits as measured by the applied scales, the total score of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Scale (MDDS), and exercise addiction, along with the determination coefficients of the variables in the structural equation model, correlation coefficients, and direct and indirect effects, were analyzed using JAMOVI software, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The results generally indicate that exercise addiction is closely associated not only with physical performance or lifestyle variables, but also with psychological factors such as personality traits and body image. Conclusion: In this context, it would be beneficial for trainers and sport psychologists working in exercise environments to develop programs that consider individual personality differences, in order to promote healthy exercise habits. Keywords: Exercise addiction, Fitness, Personality, Social appearance