Exposure to Pro-eating Disorder Websites and Attitudes Towards Treatment

Abstract

This study investigated whether variables associated with greater levels of involvement with pro-eating disorder Websites were related to more positive attitudes towards eating disorders and more negative attitudes towards their treatment. Participants were 149 individuals who identified themselves on pro-eating disorder Websites’ “buddies” pages who completed a self-report questionnaire distributed via the Internet. The data was analyzed to determine whether the independent variables significantly predicted participants’ BMI (Body Mass Index) and/or their responses to four attitude questions. The amount of time spent on pro-eating disorder Websites and whether or not participants were members of these Websites significantly predicted participants’ attitudes on three out of four questions related to eating disordered behavior and treatment of eating disorders. The results imply that involvement with pro-eating disorder Websites is significantly related to more positive attitudes towards eating disordered behavior and more negative attitudes towards treatment.