Research Impact: We examined unstudied associations between subclinical anxiety disorder symptoms and status and potential mediating effects of social physique anxiety among 470 young adults (298 female). Symptoms and odds of Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD) and Analogue Social Anxiety Disorder (ASAD) were lower for higher physical activity levels. Social physique anxiety partially mediated associations between physical activity and AGAD and ASAD. Findings support salutary benefits of physical activity for anxiety disorder symptoms, and that social physique anxiety, a modifiable body-related social-cognitive factor which may influence physical activity, anxiety disorders, and their interrelations, warrants further investigation.
Herring MP, Gordon BR, McDowell CP, Quinn LM, Lyons M (2021). Physical activity and analogue anxiety disorders: mediating influence of social physique anxiety. J Affect Disord, 282:511-516. (IF: 3.892; Q1 Clinical Neurology; R=50/204)
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