Pro-Ana – stöd eller död? Om hur anorektiker interagerar med varandra på Internet inom subkulturen Pro-ana
Author
Summary, in English
Abstract
Socio-cultural standards of beauty ideals contribute to a widespread dieting frenzy. Pro-ana
subculture advocates anorexia and eating disorders in terms of lifestyle choices. Using the
Internet as a basis for a subcultural community online.
The aim of this study is to find out how this phenomenon is expressed on the Internet: How
does Pro-ana argue for their cause? How can Pro-ana be described, as subculture or as a
support group for young women with eating disorders?
A qualitative document analysis was conducted on Pro-ana websites using theory of
subcultures, support groups / self help groups and anorexia. Subsequently, the survey results
are presented in various themes.
The results showed that Pro-ana subculture is highly valued by its members and fulfil a
function comparable to the support groups and/or self-help groups. However Pro-ana´s norms
and ideals of a destructive lifestyle are not helping anyone overcome eating disorders, but support
those who choose an anorexic life.
Socio-cultural standards of beauty ideals contribute to a widespread dieting frenzy. Pro-ana
subculture advocates anorexia and eating disorders in terms of lifestyle choices. Using the
Internet as a basis for a subcultural community online.
The aim of this study is to find out how this phenomenon is expressed on the Internet: How
does Pro-ana argue for their cause? How can Pro-ana be described, as subculture or as a
support group for young women with eating disorders?
A qualitative document analysis was conducted on Pro-ana websites using theory of
subcultures, support groups / self help groups and anorexia. Subsequently, the survey results
are presented in various themes.
The results showed that Pro-ana subculture is highly valued by its members and fulfil a
function comparable to the support groups and/or self-help groups. However Pro-ana´s norms
and ideals of a destructive lifestyle are not helping anyone overcome eating disorders, but support
those who choose an anorexic life.
Department/s
Publishing year
2010
Language
Swedish
Full text
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Document type
Student publication for Bachelor's degree
Topic
- Social Sciences
Keywords
- Qualitative study
- Pro-ana
- subculture
- support group / self-help group
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Socio-cultural ideals
- identitetsskapande och meningsskapande
- Sociokulturella ideal
- stödgrupp/självhjälpsgrupp
- subkultur
- identity formation and meaning Kvalitativ studie
Supervisor
- Katarina Jacobsson