Examining self-esteem as a moderator in the relationships between exercise identity and exercise behaviors in a college sample

<b>Objective:</b> Psychosocial factors that differentiate adaptive versus dysfunctional exercise remain unclear. This study examined whether self-esteem moderated relationships between exercise identity and three exercise types: compulsive, weight and shape, and positive and healthy. <b>Methods:</b> College students (<i>N</i> = 446; <i>M_age</i> = 20.1) were recruited through convenience sampling and completed online self-report measures of exercise behaviors, self-esteem, and exercise identity. <b>Results:</b> Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that self-esteem moderated the association between exercise identity and weight and shape exercise (<i>p</i> = .026). While a stronger exercise identity was associated with more weight and shape exercise among individuals with both high and low self-esteem, the association was stronger for those with high self-esteem. Stronger exercise identity and higher self-esteem were independently associated with greater compulsive exercise, whereas stronger exercise identity and lower self-esteem were associated with greater positive and healthy exercise. <b>Conclusions:</b> Self-esteem and exercise identity may influence exercise behaviors, underscoring the need to investigate longitudinal effects.