The effects of idealized fitness images on anxiety, depression and global mood states in college age males and females.
The primary purpose of this investigation was to quantify the effects of fitness media exposure on psychological affect utilizing the Solomon 4-group design. Volunteers were counterbalanced and randomly assigned to 30 minutes of viewing either a fitness or control magazine. State anxiety (STAI), tension, depression, anger vigor, fatigue, confusion, and global mood (POMS) were measured. Results indicate that pre-test sensitization was not a significant factor when testing the psychological factors in this investigation. Additionally, the outcomes associated with viewing ultra-fit images in popular media are not a benign experience and merit further examination.
Garvin
Ann Wertz
AW
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI, USA. garvina@uww.edu
Damson
Christopher
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001007:Anxiety; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires