Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test a chain mediation model examining whether self-esteem and social anxiety chain mediate the relationship between perfectionism and exercise addiction risk among Chinese college students. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 1,823 college students (45.75% male, 54.25% female) from 15 provinces in China were recruited via convenience sampling. Standardized scales were used to measure perfectionism, self-esteem, social anxiety, and the risk of exercise addiction. Statistical methods, including the Bootstrap approach, were employed to examine the mediating effects and analyze the relationships among variables. RESULTS: Perfectionism was positively associated with exercise addiction risk (β = 0.56, p < 0.001). It was also linked to exercise addiction through three indirect paths: (1) the independent mediating path via self-esteem (β = 0.03, p < 0.001); (2) the independent mediating path via social anxiety (β = 0.02, p < 0.001); and (3) the chain mediating path via self-esteem and then social anxiety (β = 0.01, p < 0.001). The total indirect effect was 0.06, accounting for 42.86% of the total effect. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that among college students, perfectionism is not only directly associated with a higher risk of exercise addiction but may also increase risk indirectly through the independent and sequential roles of low self-esteem and high social anxiety. These findings provide a preliminary basis for understanding the psychological mechanisms of exercise addiction. Future longitudinal studies are needed to further clarify the temporal and causal relationships among these variables.