Alternative portrayals of anorexia nervosa and its symptoms on pro-anorexic websites : a thematic analysis of website contents.
Date
2010-05-25T07:51:40Z
Authors
Da Rocha, Lisa Nicole Cardoso
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Abstract
The internet has become an invaluable source of medical information in the twenty
first century. How some individuals have come to use this medium has created a stir
among parents and the mental health community. One such use has been the
promotion of anorexia nervosa as a healthy lifestyle choice on Pro-Anorexia (Ana)
websites. These have become controversial spaces due to their presumed influence on
both the initiation and maintenance of anorexia nervosa. Despite growing concern
regarding the contents of Pro-Ana websites, limited research has been conducted in
this area resulting in a lack of awareness of the role, contents and unique perspective
contained on these sites. Therefore the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore
how anorexia nervosa is alternatively portrayed on Pro-Ana websites and how this
portrayal either maintains or challenges eating disordered symptomology. Thematic
content analysis of the text contained on two of the most popular Pro-Ana websites
yielded five major themes: perfection and control, pain and suffering, secrecy,
exclusion and medical and psychological knowledge. The results suggested that there
is a large discrepancy between the portrayal of anorexia nervosa on Pro-Ana websites
as a healthy lifestyle choice and the current clinical perspective which views anorexia
as a dangerous and fatal illness. The results also indicated that Pro-Ana websites
embrace an anti-recovery stance, encourage the maintenance of eating disordered
symptoms, promote a unique Pro-Ana identity by excluding others and are wellinformed
medically and psychologically. Implications for treatment and research are
also discussed.