The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem in the Effect of Muscle Dysmorphia on Exercise Dependence

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of self-esteem in the effect of muscle dysmorphia on exercise dependence in young men.Method: This descriptive study was conducted with 500 male individuals aged 18-30 years living in Turkey. Data were collected using the "Descriptive Information Form", the "Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder Inventory", the "Exercise Dependence Scale" and the "Rosenberg Scale of Self-esteem".Results: The effect of muscle dysmorphia on exercise dependence was found to be significant and positive. The effect of self-esteem level on exercise dependence was found to be significant and negative. It was determined that the effect of "Muscle Dysmorphia Inventory" on " Exercise Dependence Scale " was realized through the variable " Rosenberg Scale of Self-esteem" (B=-0.08, β=-0.03, SH=0.02, LLCI=-0.13, ULCI=-0.04). This finding shows that each unit increase in the " Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder Inventory" score causes a 0.08 unit decrease in the "Exercise Dependence Scale" score through the "Rosenberg Scale of Self-esteem", in other words, there is a mediation effect.Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that high levels of muscle dysmorphia increased the risk of exercise dependence in young men, but self-esteem had a decreasing role on this negative effect.