Differences in physical status, mental state and online behavior of people in pro-anorexia web communities

Yom‐Tov, Elad; Brunstein‐Klomek, Anat; Hadas, Arie; Tamir, Or; Fennig, Silvana

doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2016.05.001

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…These online communities were extensively studied in the past and were found to have some supportive effects on the users [ 8 - 10 ]. From all the pro-ana websites, we chose the one that was, as per our previous study, associated with the least harmful behaviors [ 9 ]. The Microsoft Institutional Review Board and the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya Review Board approved the study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies examining the effects of pro-ana websites have found negative outcomes on their visitors, such as lower self-esteem, higher perceived body weight, and increased likelihood of engaging in weight-restrictive practices [ 1 , 5 - 8 ]. Online behaviors of those interested in pro-ana sites may include online language usage (posts) and queries [ 9 ], as well as drug seeking, smoking, self-injury, and suicide [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a previous study, Yom Tov et al showed that there is variance between different pro-ana communities [ 9 ], and MyProAna website was found to be associated with the least harmful behaviors of those tested and the highest percentage of treatment seeking among its users. As this previous result was only based on an association rather than a causal relationship, in this study, we investigated how referring users to MyProAna community, using online advertisements (ads), would affect their online search behavior.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study, we used an online randomized control trial (RCT) design [ 21 ] to redirect Web users interested in ED to a variety of ED-related websites, including MyProAna community, found to be associated with less harmful online behaviors [ 9 ]. First, we identified users interested in ED-related content.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Inducing Behavioral Change in Seekers of Pro-Anorexia Content Using Internet Advertisements: Randomized Controlled Trial

Yom-Tov¹,

Brunstein‐Klomek²,

Mandel³

et al. 2018

JMIR Ment Health

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BackgroundThe influence of pro-anorexia (pro-ana) websites is debated, with studies indicating both negative and positive effects, as well as significant variation in the effects of different websites for those suffering from eating disorders (EDs) and the general population. Online advertising, known to induce behavioral change both online and in the physical world, has not been used so far to modify the search behavior of people seeking pro-ana content.ObjectiveThe objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to examine if online advertisements (ads) can change online search behaviors of users who are looking for online pro-ana content.MethodsUsing the Bing Ads system, we conducted an RCT to randomly expose the searchers for pro-ana content to 10 different ads referring people to one of the three websites: the National Eating Disorders Association, the National Institutes of Mental Health, and MyProAna. MyProAna is a pro-ana website that was found in a previous study to be associated with less pathological online behaviors than other pro-ana websites. We followed participants exposed and unexposed to the ads to explore their past and future online searches. The ads were shown 25,554 times and clicked on 217 times.ResultsExposure to the ads was associated with a decrease in searches for pro-ana and self-harm content. Reductions were greatest among those referred to MyProAna (reduction of 34.0% [73/215] and 37.2% [80/215] for pro-ana and self-harm, respectively) compared with users who were referred elsewhere (reduction of 15.47% [410/2650] and 3.21% [85/2650], respectively), and with users who were not shown the ads, who increased their behaviors (increase of 57.12% [6462/11,314] and 4.07% [461/11,314], respectively). In addition, those referred to MyProAna increased their search for treatment, as did control users, who did so to a lesser extent. However, users referred elsewhere decreased their searches for this content.ConclusionsWe found that referring users interested in ED-related content to specific pro-ana communities might lessen their maladaptive online search behavior. This suggests that those who are preoccupied with EDs can be redirected to less pathological online searches through appropriate pathways.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03439553; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03439553 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xNYnxYlw)

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Inducing Behavioral Change in Seekers of Pro-Anorexia Content Using Internet Advertisements: Randomized Controlled Trial

Yom-Tov¹,

Brunstein‐Klomek²,

Mandel³

et al. 2018

JMIR Ment Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…This finding is perfectly in line with was observed by other scholars. For instance, in Israel, Yom-Tov and coworkers23 investigated members of the main pro-ana website and found them significantly more interested in treatment, having wishes of procreation and reporting the highest goal weights. A minority exhibited interest in depression, self-harm and suicide, with a small percentage being severely malnourished.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

<p>A reliability and content analysis of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites</p>

Bragazzi

Prasso

et al. 2019

RMHP

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Objective Internet represents a major source of information related to health issues, increasingly used by providers. Indeed, there are numerous websites concerning eating and weight disorders, such as anorexia nervosa. The aim of the current investigation was to systematically perform a reliability and content analysis of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites. Methods Reliability of the anorexia nervosa website pages was assessed using the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct Standards (HonCode ® ) certification mark. A comprehensive content analysis (thematic cluster analysis, correspondence analysis of emerging themes and topics, density and degree-centrality analysis, and co-word analysis) was performed using the commercial software T-Lab. Results 402 unique website pages were included and analyzed in the current study. Statistically significant differences related to the accomplishment or less to the items of the HonCode ® certificate mark were found for all items, except for confidentiality and webmaster/additional contact. From the thematic cluster analysis, four clusters were identified: namely, treatment (26.6%), vomiting (24.7%), weight (24.4%) and onset-age (24.3%). Treatment (in particular, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy) was the most represented theme (with a frequency of 97.76%, recurring in 393 websites). Pro-ana content characterized 147 website pages (with a frequency of 36.57%). Conclusion The quality of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites was rather moderate-poor, being generally inconsistent with the principles of the HonCode ® certification mark. Therefore, physicians and health authorities should be aware of such findings to provide their patients with proper answers and education.

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Multiple group identifications and identity compatibility in eating disorder recovery: A mixed methods study

McNamara

Wakefield

Mair

et al. 2023

Community & Applied Soc Psy

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Eating disorder recovery is an identity transition characterised by ambivalence, in which group memberships play an important part. However, our understanding of how memberships of groups with different recovery norms (i.e., supportive vs. unsupportive of recovery) can facilitate or inhibit recovery is limited. To address this gap, this study adopted the Social Identity Model of Recovery to examine how recovery is manifest through the changing composition of an individual's group memberships. We employed a convergent mixed methods design to quantitatively determine whether specific groups (i.e., family, friends, and online groups) are more helpful to eating disorder recovery than others, and to qualitatively explore how group (in)compatibility shapes recovery efforts. There was a high level of convergence across survey (N = 112) and interview (N = 12) data: groups could have a positive or negative impact according to their recovery norms; different groups provided different forms of support and identity‐expression; incompatibility was not always experienced as a problem and could afford strategic benefits. Our findings are amongst the first to attest to the importance of considering identity networks (and their normative content) during eating disorder recovery.

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Differences in physical status, mental state and online behavior of people in pro-anorexia web communities

Cited by 12 publications

References 25 publications

Inducing Behavioral Change in Seekers of Pro-Anorexia Content Using Internet Advertisements: Randomized Controlled Trial

Inducing Behavioral Change in Seekers of Pro-Anorexia Content Using Internet Advertisements: Randomized Controlled Trial

<p>A reliability and content analysis of Italian language anorexia nervosa-related websites</p>

Multiple group identifications and identity compatibility in eating disorder recovery: A mixed methods study

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