title: The limits to pride: A test of the pro-anorexia hypothesis.
abstract: Many social psychological models propose that positive self-conceptions promote self-esteem. An extreme version of this hypothesis is advanced in "pro-anorexia" communities: identifying with anorexia, in conjunction with disordered eating, can lead to higher self-esteem. The current study empirically tested this hypothesis. Results challenge the pro-anorexia hypothesis. Although those with higher levels of pro-anorexia identification trended towards higher self-esteem with increased disordered eating, this did not overcome the strong negative main effect of pro-anorexia identification. These data suggest a more effective strategy for promoting self-esteem is to encourage rejection of disordered eating and an anorexic identity.
authors: a Department of Psychology , University of Connecticut , Storrs , Connecticut , USA.
authors: Talea
authors: T
authors: Cornelius
authors: a Department of Psychology , University of Connecticut , Storrs , Connecticut , USA.
authors: Hart
authors: H
authors: Blanton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000855:Anorexia / Q000523:psychology*; D036262:Empirical Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult