title: Stigmatizing the other: An exploratory study of unintended consequences of eating disorder public service announcements.
abstract: This research explores the intended and unintended consequences of eating disorder public service announcements. We assessed participants' attitudes toward eating disorders and people with eating disorders, willingness to interact with people with eating disorders, and experience with eating disorders (covariate) at Time 1. At Time 2, participants were randomly assigned to watch a stigmatizing or a non-stigmatizing eating disorder public service announcement. Exposure to the stigmatizing public service announcement resulted in more negative attitudes toward eating disorders and in less willingness to interact with people with eating disorders, but not in significantly more negative attitudes toward people with eating disorders. The discussion highlights the practical implications for health communication campaigns.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Irina A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Iles
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atwell Seate
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Waks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D066308:Public Service Announcements as Topic; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; public service announcements; stigma; unintended consequences