What role do self-liking and self-competence play in the relationships between exercise identity and mental well-being in individuals who exercise regularly?

Well-being research frequently examines self-esteem, given its substantial impact on individuals’ self-image and perception of self-worth. High self-esteem is associated with positive emotions, self-respect, and a sense of value, making it a fundamental indicator of well-being. Additionally, identity formation is closely linked to self-esteem, with positive identity development supporting higher self-esteem. Conversely, elevated self-esteem helps individuals navigate identity-related challenges. As the relationship between identity and self-esteem is bidirectional, understanding the cause-effect dynamics between these variables is essential for advancing well-being research. The aim of this study is to examine the role of self-liking and self-competence in the relationship between exercise identity and mental well-being. The participants of the study consisted of 140 men (33.7%) and 276 women (66.3%), aged between 18 and 50, residing in Türkiye, attempting weight loss and regularly exercised in 2023. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the study variables. Regression-based parallel mediation analysis was conducted to examine the role of the self-liking and self-competence dimensions of self-esteem, in the relationship between exercise identity and mental well-being. The significance of the mediation analysis was tested using the bootstrap method. As a result of the parallel mediation analysis based on regression, both self-liking (ab1 = 0.095, SE = 0.028, 95% CI 0.040, 0.152) and self-competence (ab2 = 0.034, SE = 0.018, 95% CI 0.003, 0.072) mediated the relationship between exercise identity and mental well-being. The findings of this study reveal that exercise identity is a significant predictor of mental well-being. Additionally, the finding that self-esteem plays a mediating role in the relationship between exercise identity and mental well-being is also considered a significant and novel contribution. These findings shed light on the factors influencing the development of mental well-being and provide valuable guidance for psychologists working in this field and conducting intervention studies.