title: Pro-eating disorder communities on social networking sites: a content analysis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the number of pro-ana groups on social networking sites and to analyze their content. A general inductive approach was used to analyze the content. Two main themes emerged from the content analysis: social support and eating disorder specific content. Themes were similar across all groups; however, a linguistic analysis indicated differences between groups on the two different networking sites. There was an absence of content typically found on Internet sites. Pro-ana groups on social networking sites are focused on social interactions, and lack eating disorder specific content found on Internet sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Adrienne S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Juarascio
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shoaib
authors.forename: C Alix
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Timko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008037:Linguistics; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult