Exploring experiences of online ‘pro‐ana’ networks: An interpretative phenomenological analysis approach

Author:

Sharman Jessica1ORCID,Rolfe Alison23ORCID,Morrey Tara1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Newman University Birmingham UK

2. Private Practice Birmingham UK

3. West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy Birmingham UK

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveOnline pro‐ana communities encourage, rather than denounce, eating disorder (ED) behaviours. Most research analyses online pro‐ana content. Fewer studies have interviewed bloggers directly. To the authors' knowledge, no previous studies have analysed both posts and interview data from pro‐ana bloggers. This study aimed to explore bloggers' experiences of online pro‐ana communities, analysing posts and interview data.MethodFive pro‐ana bloggers participated in semi‐structured interviews over Skype or Telegram. Bloggers' posts and interview data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, a qualitative method of analysis that emphasises the detailed exploration of participants' individual experiences and how they make sense of these experiences.ResultsFive superordinate themes were identified: ambivalence towards pro‐ana; social support; ‘Ana’ way of life; body/weight desperation; and hidden ED identity. Participants reported hiding their pro‐ana blog, for fear of judgement from offline others. In contrast, participants experienced online pro‐ana communities as a source of understanding, connection and solidarity that counteracted stigma experienced in the offline world. All participants idealised ‘Ana’ (anorexia), either as an admirable lifestyle or as the idealised, personification of anorexia, named ‘Ana’. Simultaneously, participants experienced pro‐ana communities as deceptive and/or harmful, demonstrating ambivalence towards pro‐ana.ConclusionsFindings suggest that community and shared understanding are important to individuals accessing pro‐ana content. Therapists may explore this further with clients, alongside any ambivalence towards pro‐ana and/or alternative supportive environments, such as online support groups. This may reduce isolation, without idealising ED behaviours. Future research could explore bloggers' relationships with the personified ‘Ana’ and experiences of non‐Western and male users.

Publisher

Wiley

Reference50 articles.

1. Ten Tips for Reflexive Bracketing

2. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA): A Guide to a Good Qualitative Research Approach

3. Anorexia Nervosa. (2022). Retrieved October 18 2022 fromhttps://icd.who.int/browse11/l‐m/en#/http://id.who.int/icd/entity/263852475

4. Fostering empowerment in online support groups

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3