Intended and unintended effects of an eating disorder educational program: impact of presenter identity.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the impact of presenter identity on the intended and unintended effects of an eating disorder educational program.


METHODS
High school students viewed one of two identical videotaped discussions about eating disorders. In one condition, the presenter was identified as an "eating disorder specialist"; in the other condition, she was identified as a "recovered patient." Before and after watching the video, participants reported on their awareness of various eating disorder symptoms, their beliefs about individuals with eating disorders, and their opinion of the presenter.


RESULTS
At Time 2, both groups reported increased knowledge about eating disorders. There was also evidence of increased endorsement of a number of implicit messages, particularly among those in the "recovered patient" group (e.g., "Girls with eating disorders are very pretty"; "It would be nice to look like" the presenter).


CONCLUSIONS
The unintended effects of eating disorder educational programs should be investigated before implementation because of their potential to undermine program efficacy.
Schwartz
Marlene B
MB
Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8205, USA. marlene.schwartz@yale.edu
Thomas
Jennifer J
JJ
Bohan
Kristin M
KM
Vartanian
Lenny R
LR
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording