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Identity construction in online eating disorder communities: A discourse analysis

Vaiou, Evangelia LU (2024) PSYP01 20241
Department of Psychology
Abstract
The present study focuses on online spaces centered on eating disorders. I conducted a discourse analysis using public posts under hashtags related to eating disorders on Twitter and Tumblr. My analytical process was guided by the assumptions of the self-categorisation theory of identity. It attempts to elucidate how the discursive trends and common repertoires used by the members of these online communities perform the functions of constructing and maintaining the social identity of the eating disorder sufferer. The analysis revealed four major discursive themes: Imagining the perfect ED life, Metaphors of sickness, Right to the ED identity, and Inseparable from one’s ED. The themes demonstrate how the identity of the eating disordered... (More)
The present study focuses on online spaces centered on eating disorders. I conducted a discourse analysis using public posts under hashtags related to eating disorders on Twitter and Tumblr. My analytical process was guided by the assumptions of the self-categorisation theory of identity. It attempts to elucidate how the discursive trends and common repertoires used by the members of these online communities perform the functions of constructing and maintaining the social identity of the eating disorder sufferer. The analysis revealed four major discursive themes: Imagining the perfect ED life, Metaphors of sickness, Right to the ED identity, and Inseparable from one’s ED. The themes demonstrate how the identity of the eating disordered individual online is constructed and performed via discursive actions of imagination, romanticisation, competition with other members, and defining oneself by one’s disorder. As minimally mediated glimpses into the users’ naturally occurring communication, these findings can promote a deeper understanding of the eating disordered experience. Consequently, they can be useful to clinicians working with ED clients, as well as social media policy makers debating the merits and drawbacks of censoring ED websites. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Vaiou, Evangelia LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP01 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
eating disorders, discourse analysis, social media, identity, self-categorisation
language
English
id
9173973
date added to LUP
2024-09-11 16:30:13
date last changed
2024-09-11 16:30:13
@misc{9173973,
  abstract     = {{The present study focuses on online spaces centered on eating disorders. I conducted a discourse analysis using public posts under hashtags related to eating disorders on Twitter and Tumblr. My analytical process was guided by the assumptions of the self-categorisation theory of identity. It attempts to elucidate how the discursive trends and common repertoires used by the members of these online communities perform the functions of constructing and maintaining the social identity of the eating disorder sufferer. The analysis revealed four major discursive themes: Imagining the perfect ED life, Metaphors of sickness, Right to the ED identity, and Inseparable from one’s ED. The themes demonstrate how the identity of the eating disordered individual online is constructed and performed via discursive actions of imagination, romanticisation, competition with other members, and defining oneself by one’s disorder. As minimally mediated glimpses into the users’ naturally occurring communication, these findings can promote a deeper understanding of the eating disordered experience. Consequently, they can be useful to clinicians working with ED clients, as well as social media policy makers debating the merits and drawbacks of censoring ED websites.}},
  author       = {{Vaiou, Evangelia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Identity construction in online eating disorder communities: A discourse analysis}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}