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

Lyons EJ, Mehl MR, Pennebaker JW

Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, NC, United States. elyons@email.unc.edu

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. METHOD: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.

Published 6 March 2006 in J Psychosom Res, 60(3): 253-6.
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