Self-presentational motives in eating disordered behavior: a known groups difference approach

Eat Behav. 2007 Jan;8(1):98-105. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2006.02.004. Epub 2006 Mar 6.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the role of self-presentation motivation across three groups with known differences in disordered eating behavior.

Methods: Female participants (N=131) were currently in-treatment for an eating disorder (n=39), deemed at-risk (n=46), or not-at-risk for an eating disorder (n=46). All participants completed general and physique-specific measures of self-presentation motivation.

Results: Results revealed significant moderate differences between groups. Those not-at-risk reported lower levels of self-presentation motivation across all measures compared to those in the other groups. Those at-risk reported significantly lower scores across global measures of self-presentation motivation, but not physique-specific motives, than those in-treatment. A discriminant function analysis demonstrated that self-presentation motivation correctly classified 63.4% of cases.

Discussion: Results suggest that self-presentation motives may be particularly salient for individuals at-risk or in-treatment for eating disordered behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anorexia Nervosa / diagnosis
  • Anorexia Nervosa / psychology
  • Body Image
  • Bulimia Nervosa / diagnosis
  • Bulimia Nervosa / psychology
  • Drive
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / diagnosis
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology*
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Motivation*
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Conformity*
  • Social Desirability*
  • Thinness / psychology