Physical activity as a moderator of shame responses to an anticipatory body image threat in women

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is associated with a more positive body image. Thus, it is possible, that one’s level of PA may attenuate negative psychological responses to an acute body image threat. The present study examined shame responses to an anticipatory body image threat. In addition, moderate-vigorous PA was investigated as a moderator of shame responses. Female university students (N=80) were randomized into either a control (quiet rest) or threat group (anticipating having a body composition assessment). Participants completed demographic information and a measure of PA. Participants also completed a measure of state body shame at baseline and immediately following their condition. A repeated-measures ANCOVA was completed using body mass index as a covariate. The results indicated a significant group-by-time interaction for body shame (F(1, 71)=26.46, p<.001, ηp2=.27). For the threat condition, body shame was significantly higher immediately following the condition. A hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to assess moderate-vigorous PA as a moderator of shame responses. First, group membership and the centered moderate-vigorous PA values were entered, and the interaction term (group membership x centered moderate-vigorous PA) was entered next. Both the first (F(2, 74)=6.59, p<.01, R2adj=.13) and second (F(3, 73)=6.58, p<.01, R2adj=.18) model were significant. An additional increase in the variance accounted for in shame responses by the interaction term was found (?R2=.06, p=.02). Follow-up analysis showed that higher levels of moderate-vigorous PA were associated with an attenuated shame response to the body image threat. Other factors (i.e., self-objectification) may also be potential moderators of the shame response.

Acknowledgments: Funding for this project was provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada