Self-presentation concerns and health behaviors among cosmetic surgery patients

The present investigation examined the relationship between self-presentational motives and physical activity in a population of cosmetic surgery participants. Participants were 50 female and 5 male cosmetic surgery patients (CSPs; Mage = 38.5 years) who completed a battery of self-report measures following either vein or acne treatment. Analyses revealed significant group differences on self-presentational concern and public self-consciousness between: (a) those who elected the treatment for appearance motives and those who elected treatment for health-based motives, and (b) the more frequent (3 or more times per week) and less frequent (2 or less times per week) exercisers. Greater self-presentational concerns and greater public self-consciousness were associated with having appearance-related motives for treatment and with being a less frequent exerciser.

Duke Scholars

Author Mark R. Leary Psychology & Neuroscience