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. 2025 May;13(3):582-597.
doi: 10.1177/21677026241290455. Epub 2024 Dec 14.

Identification of Affective- and Social-Reinforcement Functions of Driven Exercise: Evidence From Three Samples

David R Kolar  1 , Ann F Haynos  2 , Shirley B Wang  3 , Theresa Lask  4 , Stuart B Murray  5 , Ulrich Voderholzer  6   7   8 , Sasha Gorrell  9
Affiliations

Identification of Affective- and Social-Reinforcement Functions of Driven Exercise: Evidence From Three Samples

David R Kolar et al. Clin Psychol Sci. 2025 May.

Abstract

Driven exercise is a transdiagnostic maladaptive behavior, especially common in eating disorders (ED); however, its maintenance mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we examined the applicability of previously empirically-derived and validated reinforcement function models in explaining driven exercise maintenance in studies varying across developmental stages and clinical presentations (Study 1: N=279 adolescents/adults oversampled for EDs; Study 2: N=118 adolescent/adult inpatients with severe EDs; Study 3: N=52 adults oversampled for athletes and/or EDs). Results supported the utility of a four-function model (automatic positive/negative reinforcement [APR/ANR; increase/decrease negative affect], social positive/negative reinforcement [SPR/SNR; engage in/avoid interpersonal situations]) in explaining driven exercise. APR was most frequently endorsed, followed by ANR, SNR, and SPR in all studies. APR correlated with last-month driven exercise episodes across studies; associations between other functions and ED psychopathology varied between studies. Further, results suggested a separate control function could be considered in samples with more severe EDs.

Keywords: athletes; compulsive exercise; eating disorders; exercise; social function.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that there were no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship or the publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Correlations among driven exercise functions and clinical features in Study 1 (N = 279 adolescents and adults, oversampled for eating disorders). All presented correlations are statistically significant at p < .05. ANR: automatic negative reinforcement; APR: automatic positive reinforcement; SNR: social negative reinforcement; SPR: social positive reinforcement; No. DE: number of days with driven exercise episodes in the last month; CET: compulsive exercise test; EDE-Q: Eating disorder examination questionnaire; DERS-18: Difficulties in emotion regulation scale – short form; DASS-D: Depression, anxiety, stress scales – depression subscale; DASS-A: Depression, anxiety, stress scales – anxiety subscale; DASS-S: Depression, anxiety, stress scales – stress subscale; MSPSS: multidimensional scale of perceived social support.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Correlations among driven exercise functions and clinical features in Study 2 (N = 118 adolescents and adults with eating disorders currently receiving inpatient treatment). All presented correlations are statistically significant at p < .05. ANR: automatic negative reinforcement; APR: automatic positive reinforcement; SNR: social negative reinforcement; SPR: social positive reinforcement; No. DE: number of days with driven exercise episodes in the last month; CET: compulsive exercise test; EDE-Q: Eating disorder examination questionnaire; DERS-18: Difficulties in emotion regulation scale – short form; DASS-D: Depression, anxiety, stress scales – depression subscale; DASS-A: Depression, anxiety, stress scales – anxiety subscale; DASS-S: Depression, anxiety, stress scales – stress subscale; MSPSS: multidimensional scale of perceived social support.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Correlations among driven exercise functions and clinical features in Study 3 (N = 52 adults, oversampled for athletes). All presented correlations are statistically significant at p < .05. ANR: automatic negative reinforcement; APR: automatic positive reinforcement; SNR: social negative reinforcement; SPR: social positive reinforcement; No. DE: number of days with driven exercise episodes in the last month; CET: compulsive exercise test; EDE-Q: Eating disorder examination questionnaire.
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