Self-Presentational Processes in Health-Damaging Behavior

Self-presentation has been shown to play a role in the performance of a variety of potentially health-damaging behaviors such as substance abuse, exercise avoidance, failing to wear protective sports equipment, and failing to seek medical treatment (Leary, Tchividjian, & Kraxberger, 1994 Leary, M. R., Tchividjian, L. R. and Kraxberger, B. E. 1994. Self-presentation can be hazardous to your health: Impression management and health risk. Health Psychology, 13: 461–470. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Martin, Leary, & Rejeski, 2000 Martin, K. A., Leary, M. R. and Rejeski, W. J. 2000. Self-presentational concerns in older adults: Implications for health and well-being. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 22: 169–179. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Using the two component model of impression management (Leary & Kowalski, 1990 Leary, M. R. and Kowalski, R. M. 1990. Impression management: A literature review and two-component model. Psychological Bulletin, 107: 34–47. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) as an organizational framework, this paper discusses the role of impression-motivation and impression-construction in the performance of health-damaging behaviors in physical activity and other contexts. Research is reviewed that examines both features of the immediate situation (e.g., the number and identity of other people who are present, operating norms and roles, incentives) and characteristics of the individual (e.g., traits, values, goals, self-concept) that affect the performance of health-damaging behaviors for self-presentational reasons. Recommendations for future research are discussed.