The relationship between exercise and anxiety, obsessive-compulsiveness, and narcissism

Regular physical activity is considered an important preventative health behavior and contributes many physical and psychological benefits (ICEFH Consensus Statement, 1989). However, when too intense, it can be maladaptive and associated with such psychological characteristics as anxiety, obsessive-compulsiveness, and narcissism (Davis, 1990a; Morgan, 1976; Yates, 1991). A total of 210 research participants completed: the Trait Anxiety Scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Scale, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Commitment to Exercise Scale, and the Frequency of Physical Activity Form. Results of the simultaneous linear multiple regression analyses overall supported the hypotheses. Anxiety and obsessive-compulsiveness were related to commitment to exercise. Narcissism was related to physical activity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ail rights reserved.