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Exercise dependence has emerged as a growing concern in China alongside the rapid expansion of fitness culture, yet little is known about its psychological mechanisms in men. Guided by Cash’s cognitive-behavioral model, this study examined whether self-objectification and appearance-related commentary predict exercise dependence through the sequential mediating roles of social physique anxiety and muscle dysmorphia. Data were collected in a four-wave survey over 20 weeks from 354 gym members across 12 clubs in three major Chinese cities. Participants were well-educated male strength-training enthusiasts, had stable incomes, and reported regular training habits, aged 24–45 years. Structural equation modeling supported the hypothesized model: both self-objectification ( B = 0.08, p 0.05, 95% CI 0.07, 0.29) and appearance commentary ( B = 0.21, p 0.05, 95% CI 0.09, 0.34) predicted exercise dependence indirectly through social physique anxiety and muscle dysmorphia. Findings highlight that evaluative cognitions and appearance-related commentary exacerbate emotional vulnerabilities, which in turn fuel maladaptive exercise behaviors. The study advances theory by extending the cognitive-behavioral model to Chinese men and underscores the importance of addressing both social feedback and emotional regulation in prevention and intervention efforts.
Su et al. (Fri,) studied this question.