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Disordered Eating and Group Membership Among Members of a Pro‐anorexic Online Community
Author(s) -
Rodgers Rachel F.,
Skowron Sabrina,
Chabrol Henri
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.1096
Subject(s) - online community , eating disorders , psychology , happiness , perception , disordered eating , weight loss , social psychology , test (biology) , clinical psychology , obesity , medicine , world wide web , paleontology , neuroscience , computer science , biology
Objective The objective of this study was to explore motivations to become a member of a French‐language ‘pro‐ana’ online community, perceptions of support provided by other members and the nature of the information provided. Method A sample of 29 members of an online community were assessed for disordered eating and responded to open‐ended questions exploring perceptions of the online community. Results All participants reported high levels of disordered eating (Eating Attitudes Test > 30). The main motive for joining the online community was to be provided with both advice regarding weight loss and support. The majority of them equated thinness with happiness and were satisfied with their membership. Participants also described the types of advice that they had received concerning weight loss. Conclusions Members of pro‐ana online communities are likely to display high levels of disordered eating. Furthermore, membership to the online community was motivated not only by weight concerns but also by the support provided. Our findings confirmed the role of these online communities in encouraging harmful weight‐loss and weight‐control practices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.