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#Proana: Pro-Eating Disorder Socialization on Twitter
Alina Arseniev-Koehler1, Hedwig Lee2, Tyler McCormick3
1Department of Sociology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.
Summary
Pro-eating disorder (ED) online movements on Twitter involve users sharing ED content and attracting followers who also reference EDs. This online socialization may reinforce disordered eating identities among adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pro-eating disorder (ED) online movements promote ED lifestyles, posing health risks to adolescents.
- Twitter is a key platform for adolescents, facilitating the public exchange of Pro-ED content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how Pro-ED Twitter profiles reference EDs.
- To examine how the followers of Pro-ED profiles reference EDs.
Main Methods:
- Content analysis of 45 Pro-ED Twitter profiles and their tweets.
- Analysis of a random sample of 100 followers per Pro-ED profile.
- Application of a codebook based on ED screening guidelines to evaluate ED references.
Main Results:
- A median of 36.4% of Pro-ED profiles' tweets contained ED references.
- A median of 44.5% of followers of Pro-ED profiles referenced EDs in their own profiles.
- A positive correlation was found between Pro-ED profiles' tweet ED references and followers' profile ED references (β = .37, p < .01).
Conclusions:
- Pro-ED profiles on Twitter express disordered eating patterns and attract followers who also reference EDs.
- While online socialization may offer support, Pro-ED content on Twitter can reinforce ED identities.
- Further research is needed to understand the impact of online ED communities on adolescent mental health.