A Content Analysis of an Online Pro-eating Disorder Community on Reddit

Overview

Journal Body Image

Publisher Elsevier

Date 2018 Feb 8

PMID 29414146

Citations 43

Authors

Shaina J Sowles

Monique McLeary

Allison Optican

Elizabeth Cahn

Melissa J Krauss

Ellen E Fitzsimmons-Craft

Denise E Wilfley

Patricia A Cavazos-Rehg

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

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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