It was found that overall agreeableness did not significantly predict exercise addiction, inconsistent with the findings of Austin, Rohr, and Andrews. However, there was a moderate negative correlation between agreeableness and exercise addiction in males. Individuals low in agreeableness tend to be selfish, competitive, more argumentative and lack empathy. Based on these conclusions, there are some potential reasons concerning the findings from this study. As individuals who report low levels of agreeableness are generally considered competitive, it is possible that they may participate in sport and exercise to express their competitive nature. Secondly, in males, there was a moderate significant positive correlation between narcissism...
It was found that overall agreeableness did not significantly predict exercise addiction, inconsistent with the findings of Austin, Rohr, and Andrews. However, there was a moderate negative correlation between agreeableness and exercise addiction in males. Individuals low in agreeableness tend to be selfish, competitive, more argumentative and lack empathy.
Based on these conclusions, there are some potential reasons concerning the findings from this study. As individuals who report low levels of agreeableness are generally considered competitive, it is possible that they may participate in sport and exercise to express their competitive nature. Secondly, in males, there was a moderate significant positive correlation between narcissism and agreeableness and neuroticism and agreeableness. Although, this appears to be inconsistent with the findings of Campbell and Miller, who argue that when an individual displays high levels of narcissism and neuroticism, they too should exhibit low agreeableness. It is possible that males are cautious of performing to the standards of their teammates or are under pressure by the coach to perform, in turn inflicting stress on oneself, which is a trait of neuroticism.
Moreover, it is also plausible that males report high narcissism due to their competitive nature as they strive to be the best. Lorr and Droppleman found that athletes who participate in sport at a high level usually report greater levels of agreeableness, although they too can report high levels of anger, fatigue and low levels of depression. Thus, regarding agreeableness, this could aid in explaining why males reported high levels of neuroticism. However, consistent with Campbell and Miller, females reported high levels of neuroticism and low-level agreeableness regarding narcissism, thus producing a vulnerable narcissist, whom may seek excessive praise and participate in forms of deception. Based upon this finding, it is possible that a vulnerable narcissist may participate in sport to achieve gratification from others, they too may exercise excessively to meet the demanding levels of their satisfaction.
