Running To “Escape” Stress? It Could Lead to Dependence - Technology Networks

A new study by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) explored whether “escapism” can help us to understand running motivation and exercise dependence.

Stenseng is the lead author of a new study that explored how the concept of escapism might provide an understanding of the relationship between running, wellbeing and exercise dependence.

The participants had varying running practices, and were asked to complete questionnaires that explored three aspects of escapism and exercise dependence:

Neither self-expansion or self-suppression preferences were linked to factors such as gender, age or amount of time spent running, though both modes impacted the relationship between exercise dependence and wellbeing.

“In conclusion, the present findings support escapism as a relevant framework for understanding the relationship between exercise dependence in running and subjective well-being,” the authors write.

“But these findings may enlighten people in understanding their own motivation, and be used for therapeutical reasons for individuals striving with a maladaptive engagement in their activity.”