The role of self-presentation in adolescent health risk behaviours

Self-presentation has been identified as playing a key role in the perfonnance of
\nvarious potentially hazardous health behaviours such as substance abuse, eating disorders
\nand reckless behaviours (Leary, Tchividjian, & Kraxberger, 1994; Martin & Leary, 2001;
\nMartin, Leary, & O'Brien, 2001). The present study investigated the role of selfpresentation
\non adolescent health-risk behaviours. Specifically, this study examined the
\nprevalence of adolescent identified health-risk behaviours rooted in self-presentational
\nmotives in youths aged 13-18 years. The current study also identified the specific images
\nassociated with these behaviours desired by youth, and the targets of these behaviours.
\nAlso, the relationship between these behaviours, and several trait measures (social
\nphysique anxiety, public-self consciousness, fear of negative evaluations, selfpresentational
\nefficacy) of self-presentation were examined. Finally, the gender
\ndifferences in health risk behaviours and self-presentational concerns were examined.
\nParticipants in the present study were 96 adolescent students, 34 male and 62
\nfemale, recruited from various private schools across Southern Ontario. Students ranged
\nin age from 13 to 18 years for both males (M age = 15.81 years, SD = 1.49) and females
\n(M age = 14.89 years, SD = 1.17) and ranged from grades 8 through 13. Results of the
\ncurrent study suggested that Canadian adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 years
\nparticipated in health risk behaviours for self-presentational purposes. Drinking alcohol,
\nskipping school, and performing stunts and dares were identified as the most common
\nhealth risk behaviours performed for self-presentational purposes by both males and
\nfemales. Appearing fun and cool were the most commonly reported desired images while
\nappearing brave and mature were the least reported. The most desired target group cited
\nwas same sex friends, followed by other sex friends. Trait measures of self-presentational
\nconcerns identified females as being higher in public self-consciousness, and social
\nphysique anxiety than males. Males were found to be higher in self-presentational
\nefficacy than females. The total number of health risk behaviours was predicted by selfpresentational
\nefficacy and social physique anxiety for males, and social physique anxiety
\nfor females.
\nFindings of the current study suggest that Canadian adolescents' health risk
\nbehaviours are rooted, in part, in self-presentational motives. Thus far, an educational
\napproach to health interventions has been favoured and/or adopted by teachers, health
\npromoters, and educators (Jessor, 1992). Implications of the current study suggest that
\nalthough educational interventions are beneficial in presenting the associated risks with
\ncertain activities and/or behaviours, one reason this type of approach may be ineffective
\nin changing adolescent behaviour over the long run is that it does not address the strong
\nand prominent influences of interpersonal motives on health damaging behaviour. It is
\nevident that social acceptance and public image are of importance to adolescents, and the
\ndesire to make the "right" impression and to achieve peer approval and acceptance often
\noverride health and safety concerns (Jessor, 1992). Thus, a self-presentational approach
\nfocusing on changing the images associated with the behaviours may be more successful
\nat deterring adolescent health risk behaviours.

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