The Roles of Body Image, Drive for Muscularity, and Spiritual Well-Being in the Relationship Between Disordered Eating and Exercise Addiction Among Sports Science Students: A Moderated Model

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the roles of drive for muscularity, body image perception, and spiritual well-being in the relationship between exercise addiction and disordered eating.MethodsThe research was designed as a cross-sectional study and included 408 students enrolled in the Faculty of Sport Sciences at various public universities in T & uuml;rkiye. Data were collected using a socio-demographic information form, the Eating Behavior Disorder Scale, the Drive for Muscularity Scale, the Exercise Addiction Scale, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, and the Body Image Scale.ResultsThe findings revealed that exercise addiction is linked to disordered eating through the mediating role of the drive for muscularity. This indirect relationship changes depending on levels of body image and spiritual well-being. Specifically, the effect of the drive for muscularity on disordered eating was strongest among individuals with low body image and low spiritual well-being. In contrast, when body image was at low or moderate levels and spiritual well-being was high, this effect was no longer significant.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that negative body image and spiritual well-being are key correlates of disordered eating and exercise habits. In addition, these findings emphasize the importance of maintaining psychological and physical balance, particularly in sports science students who are under high pressure in terms of athletic performance.