By encouraging each other to engage in associated ED behaviors, pro-communities normalize the behavior by making the user feel that it is acceptable, justifiable, and sometimes even desirable ( Schroeder, 2010). For example, there are many pro-ED (also known as pro-anorexia or pro-ana) communities that construe ED as a lifestyle choice rather than disorders to be treated ( Wilson et al., 2006 Bond, 2012 Syed-Abdul et al., 2013 Tong et al., 2013). Of particular concern are ‘pro’ communities that arguably aim to encourage ED behavior.
#ANOREXIA TUMBLR PICTURES OFFLINE#
Recent research suggests a link between viewing of online ED content and offline ED behavior ( Branley and Covey, 2017), although the nature of this relationship is currently unknown. Social media has made it easier for messages which encourage or promote ED to spread this may have negative effects on vulnerable individuals ranging from healthy individuals who may be influenced to engage in ED behaviors, through to the ‘triggering’ of individuals who may already have an ED ( Brotsky and Giles, 2007 Rouleau and von Ranson, 2011 Bond, 2012). Online communities which potentially encourage eating disorders (ED) are a cause of public concern ( Tong et al., 2013) and they have received heavy media attention over the last decade (e.g., Rojas, 2014). Developers of future interventions targeting negative pro-ana content should remain aware of the need to avoid any detrimental impact on positive online support. Pro-ana posts (including ‘thinspiration’) were more common on Twitter than Tumblr, whereas anti-ana and pro-recovery posts were more common on Tumblr.Ĭonclusion: The findings have implications for future research and health care relating to the treatment and prevention of eating disorders. Overall, across both platforms, extreme pro-ana posts were in the minority compared to anti-ana and pro-recovery.
Results: Three types of content (pro-ana, anti-ana, and pro-recovery) were posted on each platform. Materials and Methods: Thematic analysis was conducted to characterize the types of communications posted, and a content analysis was undertaken of between-platform differences. Objectives: To compare how people communicate about eating disorders on two popular social media platforms – Twitter and Tumblr. 2Department of Psychology, Durham University, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom.1Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom.
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