1This study assessed the 5 factor structure of the Compulsive Exercise Test and explored the 2 relationship between compulsive exercise and eating psychopathology in athletes. 3Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses of the Compulsive Exercise Test were 4 conducted with 689 competitive athletes (aged 18 to 35 years). Convergent validity with the 5 Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire was explored. The 5 factor structure showed a 6 poor fit; an alternative 3 factor structure is proposed. Exercising for weight control and to 7 avoid a negative mood were strongly associated with eating psychopathology. Implications 8 for using the Compulsive Exercise Test with athletes are discussed. 9

The purpose of this study was to examine whether collective efficacy can mediate the association between (a) coach-athlete relationship and athlete satisfaction and (b) team cohesion and athlete satisfaction. The sample consisted of 135 Greek-Cypriot athletes who participated in interactive sports and responded to four questionnaires including the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sport, Greek Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire, Group Environment Questionnaire and three subscales of the Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire. The results from a series of regression analyses indicated that dimensions of collective efficacy have the capacity to explain the association between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and athlete satisfaction as well as between team cohesion and athlete satisfaction. Unity, preparation, and ability were dimensions of collective efficacy that appeared to be the best mediators. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

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The present study sought to determine the predictive role of interpersonal difficulties on eating psychopathology among competitive British athletes (ranging from university to international competition level). A total of 122 athletes (36 males and 86 females) with a mean age of 21.22 years (SD = 4.02), completed a multisection questionnaire that measured eating psychopathology, attachment styles, and quality of relationships with parents, coaches and teammate over a 6-month period. Partial correlations revealed that when controlling for baseline eating psychopathology, only the quality of the relationship with coach and closest teammate were related to athletes' eating psychopathology 6 months later. Subsequent hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that athletes' eating psychopathology was only predicted by perceived levels of interpersonal conflict with the coach. The current findings provide evidence to suggest that conflict within the coach-athlete relationship is a potential risk factor for eating disorders among athletes and thus it would seem appropriate to raise awareness for its potentially toxic role in athletes' eating psychopathology.

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The purpose of this study was twofold: to explore the utility of components related to the transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral model of eating disorders within an athletic population and to investigate the extent to which the model can be applied across gender, sport type, and performance standard to explain eating psychopathology. Five hundred and eighty-eight (N = 588) male and female British athletes completed a battery of self-report instruments related to eating psychopathology, interpersonal diffculties, perfectionism, self-esteem, and mood. Structural equation modeling revealed that eating psychopathology may arise from an interaction of interpersonal diffculties, low self-esteem, high levels of self-critical perfectionism, and depressive symptoms. Analysis further highlighted that the manner in which eating psychopathology may arise is invariant across athletes’ sport type and performance standard, but not across gender. The current findings suggest that the tested components of the transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral model are pertinent and useful in explaining eating psychopathology among athletes.

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Within the clinical literature it is accepted that there is a strong connection between eating disorders and depression; however the nature of the casual relationship is somewhat unclear. Therefore the aim of the present study was to determine the prospective relationship between eating psychopathology and depressive symptoms among competitive British athletes. A total of 122 athletes completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and the depression subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90R over a 6-month period. Partial correlations revealed that when controlling for baseline eating psychopathology, athletes' baseline depressive symptoms was not related to their eating psychopathology 6 months later. However, when controlling for baseline depressive symptoms, athletes' initial eating psychopathology was positively and significantly related to depressive symptoms 6 months later. Subsequent hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed athletes' initial levels of eating psychopathology significantly predicted depressive symptoms 6 months later. The current findings support the assertion that elevated eating psychopathology serves as a potential risk factor for the development of depression in athletes. Thus, National Governing Bodies, athletic clubs, sport organisations and universities need to recognise and be aware that exposure to the factors that increase the risk of eating disorders inadvertently serves to increase athletes' vulnerability for depression.