The Association of Social Media Use and Eating Behaviour of Belgian Adolescent Girls Diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa-A Qualitative Approach.

Abstract

Social media have become integral in adolescents' lives, presenting both opportunities and risks, especially concerning psychiatric issues like eating disorders, prevalent in this vulnerable age group. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with seven adolescent girls (aged 15-17) diagnosed with eating disorders. Interviews covered seven predefined topics, recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Participants identified four key themes: exposure to selective content, biased interpretation, behavioural adaptation, and evolving perspectives during recovery. They highlighted social media's role in exacerbating body dissatisfaction and altering behaviours related to eating disorders. This research underscores the critical need for awareness and guidance in adolescents' social media use to mitigate negative impacts, emphasizing the potential link between exposure to specific content and cognitive-behavioural changes in those with eating disorders. Further investigation is warranted to deepen our comprehension of these dynamics.