Examining self-esteem as a moderator in the relationships between exercise identity and exercise behaviors in a college sample

Objective: Psychosocial factors that differentiate adaptive versus dysfunctional exercise remain unclear. This study examined whether self-esteem moderated relationships between exercise identity and three exercise types: compulsive, weight and shape, and positive and healthy. Methods: College students (N = 446; Mage = 20.1) were recruited through convenience sampling and completed online self-report measures of exercise behaviors, self-esteem, and exercise identity. Results: Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that self-esteem moderated the association between exercise identity and weight and shape exercise (p = .026). While a stronger exercise identity was associated with more weight and shape exercise among individuals with both high and low self-esteem, the association was stronger for those with high self-esteem. Stronger exercise identity and higher self-esteem were independently associated with greater compulsive exercise, whereas stronger exercise identity and lower self-esteem were associated with greater positive and healthy exercise. Conclusions: Self-esteem and exercise identity may influence exercise behaviors, underscoring the need to investigate longitudinal effects.