Relationship between self-presentation, exercise dependence, and perceived body image

Abstract

This study examined how discrepancies between actual and ideal body images are related to self-presentation and exercise dependence. Two hundred and sixteen female participants completed a self-administered questionnaire with three measurement scales. They were recruited from aerobic dance classes of two fitness centres in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. It was found that tolerance and intention effect of exercise dependence for the overweight group were significantly higher than those for the normal and underweight groups (F = 3.02, 5.89, p < .05). In addition, impression motivation and impression construction of self-presentation for the “satisfied-with-body-shape” and the “want-to-be-plumper” groups were significantly higher than those for the “want-to-be- thinner” group (F = 8.10, 10.23, p < .05). On the contrary, tolerance, withdrawal, lack of control, and intention effect of exercise dependence for the “want-to-be-thinner” group were significantly higher than those for the “satisfied-with-body-shape” and “want-to-be-plumper” groups (F = 12.29, 3.39, 11.69, 13.99, p < .05). Collectively, these findings suggest that the perceived body images found in this work are associated with impression formation, self-image management, and maladaptive patterns of exercise.

Keywords:

• self-presentation
• exercise dependence
• body image
• aerobic
• perceived body image
• self-discrepancy theory