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Stress is associated with exercise differently among individuals with higher and lower eating disorder symptoms: An ecological momentary assessment study
Author(s) -
Sala Margarita,
Brosof Leigh C.,
Rosenfield David,
Fernandez Katya C.,
Levinson Cheri A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22799
Subject(s) - psychology , eating disorders , stress (linguistics) , multilevel model , clinical psychology , young adult , developmental psychology , linguistics , philosophy , machine learning , computer science
Abstract Objective Stress is associated with the maintenance of eating disorders and exercise behaviors. However, it is unclear how stress is associated with exercise and vice‐versa among individuals with higher levels of eating disorder symptoms in daily life. The current study tested the moderating effect of eating disorder symptoms on the relationships between (1) daily stress and later exercise behavior and (2) daily exercise behavior and later stress. Method Female college students [ N = 129, mean age = 19.19 ( SD = 1.40)] completed the Eating Disorder Inventory‐2. Participants then completed measures of stress and exercise four times daily across seven days using an automated telephone ecological momentary assessment system. Data were analyzed using multilevel models. Results Drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, and body dissatisfaction significantly moderated the relationship between daily stress and later exercise ( p s = .01–.05), such that higher daily stress predicted higher later exercise only in individuals who were low (but not average or high) in drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, and body dissatisfaction symptoms. Discussion Stress is associated with exercise differentially depending on individuals’ eating disorder symptoms. Our findings suggest that only individuals with lower levels of eating disorder symptoms exercise when stressed.