What's eating the internet? Content and perceived harm of pro-eating disorder websites

Steakley-Freeman, Diana M.; Jarvis-Creasey, Zachary L.; Wesselmann, Eric D.

doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2015.08.003

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Of particular concern is the widespread existence of online pro-eating disorder (pro-ED) communities that promote and sometimes even encourage disordered eating behaviors (e.g., harmful weight loss or eating control practices) and often shun recovery. Evidence from multiple studies examining pro-ED content online has shown that viewers of pro-ED websites have increased body dissatisfaction, increased eating disturbance, lower self-esteem, poorer ED-related quality of life and perceive themselves as heavier than they are (Bardone-Cone & Cass, 2007; Harper, Sperry, & Thompson, 2008; Juarascio, Shoaib, & Timko, 2010; Peebles et al, 2012; Steakley-Freeman, Jarvis-Creasey, & Wesselmann, 2015). Moreover, systematic content analyses have found that pro-ED websites tend to display “thinspiration” material and explicitly discuss how to engage in ED behaviors, while few websites provide recovery-oriented information (Borzekowski, Schenk, Wilson, & Peebles, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A content analysis of an online pro-eating disorder community on Reddit

et al. 2018

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Pro-eating disorder communities provide a refuge for individuals with eating disorders (EDs) who are ambivalent about seeking treatment. We investigated a pro-ED community on Reddit, an anonymous social networking platform with topical forums, to identify expression of behaviors aligned with ED symptoms and support for these behaviors. A content analysis on four weeks of topic-specific discussion threads (N=125 comments, 115 replies to comments) was conducted to identify behaviors consistent with ED psychopathology and support for these behaviors (informational, tangible assistance, esteem/emotional support). Results indicated that the content aligned with expressions of clinically relevant ED psychopathology, with eating concerns (49/125) and shape concerns (47/125) being most prevalent. The majority (92/115) of replies provided esteem/emotional support to the comment author. Online interventions and/or recovery programs are needed to counteract reinforcing dialogue that occurs on social media sites, like Reddit, and promote ED recovery through supportive messages on these platforms.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A content analysis of an online pro-eating disorder community on Reddit

et al. 2018

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“…Pro-ED content can be found on websites, forums, personal blogs (Borzekowski, Schenk, Wilson, & Peebles, 2010), and in communities on social networks (Juarascio, Shoaib, & Timko, 2010). Common features are motivational or "thinspiration" content, and "thin commandments", that is, instructions and techniques for maintaining an ED and rapid weight loss (Borzekowski et al, 2010;Lapinski, 2006;Norris, Boydell, Pinhas, & Katzman, 2006;Steakley-Freeman, Jarvis-Creasey, & Wesselmann, 2015). Experimentally induced exposure to Pro-ED websites has been found to be associated with increases in dieting, body dissatisfaction, and negative affect (for a review see Rodgers, Lowy, Halperin, & Franko, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing big data in social media: Text and network analyses of an eating disorder forum

Moessner

Feldhege

Wolf

et al. 2018

Intl J Eating Disorders

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“…A compelling example of this occurs in online communities, such as “Pro-Ana” (Pro-Anorexia) communities. Within these communities, individuals share photos of the impact of dangerous dietary restriction and tips on enhancing harmful weight loss strategies, personal examples which may negatively influence vulnerable individuals who seek to copy these behaviors or emulate these ascribed values [ 5 , 6 ]. Examples of harmful social influence may also extend to treatment contexts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of mimicry in eating disorders

et al. 2022

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Background People unknowingly mimic the behaviors of others, a process that results in feelings of affiliation. However, some individuals with eating disorders describe feeling “triggered” when mimicked. This study explores the effects of implicit non-verbal mimicry on individuals with a history of an eating disorder (ED-His) compared to healthy controls (HCs). Method Women (N = 118, nED-His = 31; Mage = 21 years) participated in a laboratory task with a confederate trained to either discreetly mimic (Mimicry condition) or not mimic (No-Mimicry condition) the mannerisms of the participant. Participants rated the likability of the confederate and the smoothness of the interaction. Results Participants in the No-Mimicry condition rated the confederate as significantly more likable than in the Mimicry condition, and ED-His rated the confederate as more likable than HCs. ED-His in the Mimicry condition rated the interaction as less smooth than HCs, whereas this pattern was not found in the No-Mimicry condition. Among ED-His, longer disorder duration (≥ 3.87 years) was associated with less liking of a confederate who mimicked and more liking of a confederate who did not mimic. Conclusions We discuss the implications of these findings for interpersonal therapeutic processes and group treatment settings for eating disorders. Plain English summary Our study on subtle, nonverbal mimicry revealed differences in social behavior for women with a history of an eating disorder compared to healthy women. For participants with an eating disorder history, a longer duration of illness was associated with a worse pattern of affiliation, reflected in lower liking of a mimicker. Further research on how diverging processes of affiliation may function to perpetuate the chronicity of eating disorders and implications for treatment is needed.

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What's eating the internet? Content and perceived harm of pro-eating disorder websites

Cited by 4 publications

References 28 publications

A content analysis of an online pro-eating disorder community on Reddit

A content analysis of an online pro-eating disorder community on Reddit

Analyzing big data in social media: Text and network analyses of an eating disorder forum

Experiences of mimicry in eating disorders

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