Self-presentational motives in eating disordered behavior: A known groups difference approach Diane E. Mack a, ⁎ , Heather A. Strong a , Kent C. Kowalski b , Peter R.E. Crocker c a Department of PEKN, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1 b College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Canada c School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Canada Received 6 October 2005; received in revised form 14 February 2006; accepted 17 February 2006 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. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Self-presentation motivation; Eating disorders 1. Introduction Self-presentation reflects the processes by which individuals attempt to monitor and control the impressions others form of them (Schlenker & Leary, 1982). Concerns over impressions conveyed have been linked to numerous health behaviors including nutritional intake, physical activity, and smoking (Crocker et al., 2001, 2003; Martin, Leary, & O'Brien, 2001). Further, constructs linked to self-presentation, including social approval and social anxiety, have been implicated in the etiology of eating disordered behavior (Beren & Chrisler, 1990; Halmi et al., 1991). In Canada, it is estimated that 3.8% of women between the ages of 15 and 24, and 2.9% between the ages of 25 and 64 are at-risk for the development of an eating disorder (Statistics Canada, 2004). Therefore, furthering our understanding of the role of Eating Behaviors 8 (2007) 98 – 105 ⁎ Corresponding author. Fax: +1 905 688 9364. E-mail address: dmack@brocku.ca (D.E. Mack). 1471-0153/$ - see front matter © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2006.02.004