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


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Lyons
Elizabeth J
EJ
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, NC, United States. elyons@email.unc.edu
Mehl
Matthias R
MR
Pennebaker
James W
JW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000855:Anorexia / Q000628:therapy*; D003071:Cognition; D003289:Convalescence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008019:Life Style; D008037:Linguistics / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior