title: Running addiction and dyadic adjustment.
abstract: Running motivated by an addictive mechanism may overpower the sensible, beneficial approach to exercise. Neglect of family responsibilities and relationships may occur as a result of this addiction. Thirty-five marathon runners and their spouses were studied; 22 of the runners were women and 13 were men. Each runner and spouse completed the dyadic adjustment (DAS) and running addiction (RAS) scales; the spouses were asked to rate their own dyadic adjustment and the runners' addiction. Findings indicated little relationship between the runners' RAS and DAS scores; however, there was a significant negative relationship between spouses' rating of the runners' RAS and their own DAS, (r = -.59, p less than .001). The relationship between higher perceived levels of running addiction in the spouse and lower DAS scores was stronger in those spouses who did not run; (r = -.61, p less than .01) and for male spouses of female runners; (r = -.67, p less than .01).
authors.affiliation: Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Rudy
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Estok
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012420:Running / Q000523:psychology*