Effect of perceived anonymity in assessments of eating disordered behaviors and attitudes.
OBJECTIVE
The present study assessed the effect of perceived anonymity on endorsements of eating disordered behaviors and attitudes across multiple response formats.


METHODS
Four hundred sixty-nine undergraduate women responded using one of three questionnaire formats: a nominally anonymous true/false condition, an unmatched count condition, or a randomized-response condition. Both the unmatched count and randomized response conditions provided complete response anonymity.


RESULTS
Significantly different endorsement rates were found for the majority of items when comparing the standard and unmatched count conditions, whereas differences were found for fewer items when comparing the standard and randomized response conditions. Perceived anonymity significantly differed across conditions, with the highest and lowest perceptions of anonymity found for the unmatched count and standard conditions, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived anonymity and response format affect endorsements of eating disordered behaviors and attitudes, highlighting the necessity of understanding factors that contribute to response bias.
Lavender
Jason M
JM
Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, USA. jl979833@albany.edu
Anderson
Drew A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003219:Confidentiality; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult