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Investigating the impact of pro‐anorexia websites: a pilot study
Author(s) -
BardoneCone Anna M.,
Cass Kamila M.
Publication year - 2006
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.714
Subject(s) - eating disorders , anorexia , psychology , anorexia nervosa , medicine , psychotherapist , psychiatry , gerontology , clinical psychology
Objective This pilot study examined the affective and cognitive consequences of exposure to a pro‐anorexia website. Method Young women (N=24) were randomly assigned to view one of three websites created by the investigators: a prototypical pro‐anorexia website, a website about female fashion using average‐sized models, or an appearance‐neutral website about home décor. Participants completed a set of questionnaires assessing mood and cognitions pre‐ and post‐website. Results Trends indicated that women who viewed the pro‐anorexia website decreased in self‐esteem, appearance self‐efficacy, and perceived attractiveness, and increased in negative affect and perception of being overweight. This pattern was not found among women who viewed the control websites. Discussion Preliminary data suggest that viewing pro‐anorexia websites has negative affective and cognitive effects on young women. Future directions are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.