Exploring the role of intolerance of uncertainty and cognitive inflexibility in compulsive exercise in adolescent female athletes and adolescents with eating disorders.

Abstract

Evidence examining whether intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and cognitive inflexibility are risk factors for compulsive exercise (CE) remains scarce in athletes and adolescents with eating disorders (EDs). The main aims of this study were twofold: 1) to analyse whether there are significant differences in IU dimensions and cognitive inflexibility between athletes and adolescents with EDs with high CE compared to those with low CE; 2) to explore the associations between IU, cognitive inflexibility and elements of CE. A total of 52 female adolescents with EDs (AN = 29; BN = 5; OSFED = 18) and 72 adolescent female athletes (footballers = 38; dancers = 34) completed self-reported measures of IU, cognitive inflexibility, CE and ED symptoms. Results showed that high CE groups (in both the athlete and ED groups) scored significantly higher in cognitive inflexibility compared to low CE groups. Indeed, cognitive inflexibility remained significantly linked to the CE dimension of avoidance of negative affect, even when controlling for ED symptoms, anxiety and depression. Moreover, in the athlete group, those with high CE scored significantly higher on IU dimensions compared to those with low CE. The findings suggest that cognitive inflexibility and IU may be hallmarks of CE.