Pro-anorexics and recovering anorexics differ in their linguistic Internet self-presentation

Journal of Psychosomatic Research
Elizabeth J LyonsJames W Pennebaker

Abstract

Pro-anorexia has emerged as a new and emotionally charged eating disorder phenomenon. This study explored the linguistic markers of differences in Internet self-presentation of self-identified pro-anorexics who defend anorexia as a lifestyle and self-identified anorexics in recovery. One hundred sixty-two Internet message board entries and 56 homepages originating from either pro-anorexics or recovering anorexics were analyzed for linguistic markers of emotional, cognitive, and social functioning, temporal focus, and anorexia-related psychological concerns. Across both text sources, pro-anorexics displayed more positive emotions, less anxiety, a lower degree of cognitive reflection, and lower levels of self-directed attention than did recovering anorexics. Pro-anorexics were also more focused on the present and less on the past. Finally, pro-anorexics were more preoccupied with eating and less with school-related issues and death. Linguistically, pro-anorexics and recovering anorexics engage in distinct psychological self-presentation styles. More research is needed to understand the clinical implications of these different linguistic styles.

References

Apr 1, 1988·The American Journal of Psychiatry·T E OxmanG J Tucker
Aug 4, 2001·Psychosomatic Medicine·S W Stirman, J W Pennebaker
Aug 20, 2002·Annual Review of Psychology·James W PennebakerKate G Niederhoffer
Sep 28, 2004·Psychological Science·Michael A CohnJames W Pennebaker
Jan 29, 2005·Journal of Behavioral Medicine·Jason E OwenDiane C Tucker
Mar 26, 2005·Quality of Life Research : an International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation·J M MondP J V Beumont

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 25, 2007·Eating Disorders·Sarah R Brotsky, David Giles
Sep 25, 2010·Eating Disorders·Adrienne S JuarascioC Alix Timko
Sep 21, 2013·Eating Disorders·Stephanie Tom TongNathaniel Warshay
Dec 2, 2006·Health Communication·William Evans
Aug 13, 2015·Health Communication·Pamara F Chang, Natalya N Bazarova
Dec 2, 2008·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Jenni L HarshbargerJoseph H Hawkins
Apr 25, 2008·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Dorette Wesemann, Martin Grunwald
Sep 29, 2011·European Eating Disorders Review : the Journal of the Eating Disorders Association·Helen DaviesKate Tchanturia
May 4, 2010·Journal of Personality·Aubrey J RodriguezMatthias R Mehl
Apr 3, 2015·Journal of Psycholinguistic Research·Virginia ClintonBen Seipel
Aug 18, 2009·Journal of Biomedical Informatics·Dina Demner-FushmanClement J McDonald
Aug 30, 2008·Behaviour Research and Therapy·Barrett AndersonJames J Gross
Oct 10, 2009·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Alex S CohenGina M Najolia
Jun 16, 2016·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Kristina SaffranMickey Trockel
Jun 7, 2013·Transcultural Psychiatry·Laurence J KirmayerSadeq Rahimi
Jan 19, 2018·Cognitive Behaviour Therapy·Anke R SonnenscheinWolfgang Lutz
Feb 28, 2015·Journal of Health Psychology·Kristi E GamarelMallory O Johnson
May 26, 2007·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Anna M Bardone-Cone, Kamila M Cass
Feb 6, 2018·Biomedical Engineering Online·Dominik SpinczykKatarzyna Rojewska
Aug 9, 2007·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Markus WolfHans Kordy
Jul 17, 2018·Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine·N KupeliN A Troop
Jun 6, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·German TodorovCatarina Cunha
Jun 21, 2020·Biomedical Engineering Online·Dominik SpinczykStella Maćkowska
Feb 7, 2018·Appetite·Kate G BlackburnRyan L Boyd
Jul 27, 2021·Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD·Vittoria CuteriAntonia Parmeggiani

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric condition characterized by severe weight loss and secondary problems associated with malnutrition. Here is the latest research on AN.