Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Non-suicidal Self-Injury, Eating Disorders, and the Internet

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Eating Disorders

Abstract

Online communities and material regarding non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and eating disorders (ED) are abundant and easily accessible on the Internet. Internet platforms (e.g., social networks, message boards, blogs, video-, and photo-sharing sites) offer individuals who engage in these behaviors opportunities to interact with others with similar experiences (i.e., who have self-injured or who have ED difficulties). Researchers have found that although online activities can be positive in a number of ways (e.g., providing support to otherwise isolated individuals), they may be detrimental in others (e.g., contributing to continued and unhealthy self-destructive behaviors). In this chapter, we review extant literature on the potential benefits and risks of online activities related to NSSI and EDs, discuss avenues for future research, and present implications and guidelines for clinicians. We end with a case vignette illustrating the clinical guidelines presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Baker, D., & Fortune, S. (2008). Understanding self-harm and suicide websites: A qualitative interview study of young adult website users. Crisis, 39, 118–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, T. G., & Lewis, S. P. (2013). Responses to online photographs of non-suicidal self-injury: A thematic analysis. Archives of Suicide Research, 17, 223–235.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bardone-Cone, A. M., & Cass, K. M. (2006). Investigating the impact of pro-anorexia websites: A pilot study. European Eating Disorders Review, 14, 256–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bardone-Cone, A. M., & Cass, K. M. (2007). What does viewing a pro-anorexia website do? An experimental examination of website exposure and moderating effects. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 40, 537–548.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berger, M., Wagner, T. H., & Baker, L. C. (2005). Internet use and stigmatized illness. Social Science & Medicine, 61, 1821–1827.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blair, C. E., Kelly, N. R., Serder, K. L., & Mazzeo, S. E. (2012). Does the Internet function like a magazine? An exploration of image-focused media, eating pathology, and body dissatisfaction. Eating Behaviors, 13, 398–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boero, N., & Pascoe, C. J. (2012). Pro-anorexia communities and online interactions: Bringing the pro-ana body online. Body & Society, 18, 27–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borzekowski, D. L. G., Schenk, S., Wilson, J. L., & Peebles, R. (2010). e-Ana and e-Mia: A content analysis of pro-eating disorder websites. American Journal of Public Health, 100, 1526–1534.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chesley, E. B., Alberts, J. D., Klein, J. D., & Kreipe, R. E. (2003). Pro or con? Anorexia nervosa and the Internet. Journal of Adolescent Health, 32, 123–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cspike, E., & Horne, O. (2007). Pro-eating disorder websites: Users’ opinions. European Eating Disorder Review, 15, 196–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dias, K. (2003). The ana sanctuary: Women’s pro-anorexia narratives in cyberspace. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 4, 31–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duggan, J. M., Heath, N. L., Lewis, S. P., & Baxter, A. (2011). An examination of the scope and nature of non-suicidal self-injury online activities: Implications for school mental health professionals. School Mental Health, 4, 56–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairburn, C. G., & Harrison, P. J. (2003). Eating disorders. The Lancet, 361, 407–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flynn, M. A., & Stana, A. (2012). Social support in a men’s online eating disorder forum. International Journal of Men’s Mental Health, 11, 150–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox, N., Ward, K., & O’Rourke, A. (2005). Pro-anorexia, weight-loss drugs and the internet: An ‘anti-recovery’ explanatory model of anorexia. Sociology of Health & Illness, 27, 944–971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gavin, J., Rodham, K., & Poyer, H. (2008). The presentation of “pro-anorexia” in online group interactions. Qualitative Health Research, 18, 325–333.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Google News (2011, February 25). Health Section. Retrieved from http://www.news.google.com.

  • Google News (2012, February 28). Health Section. Retrieved from http://www.news.google.com.

  • Griffiths, M. D., & Meredith, A. (2009). Videogame addiction and treatment. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 39, 47–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haas, S. M., Irr, M. E., Jennings, N. A., & Wagner, L. M. (2010). Communicating thin: A grounded model of online negative enabling support groups in the pro-anorexia movement. New Media & Society, 13, 40–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, K., Sperry, S., & Thompson, J. K. (2008). Viewership of pro-eating disorder websites: Association with body image and eating disturbances. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 41, 92–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hasking, P., Martin, G., & Berger, E. (2010, June). How do we help those who self-injure? An examination of what young people think. Paper presented at International Society for the Study of Self-injury Conference, Chicago, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jett, S., LaPorte, D. J., & Wanchisn, J. (2010). Impact of exposure to pro-eating disorder websites on eating behaviours in college women. European Eating Disorder Review, 18, 410–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, G. M., Zastawny, S., & Kulpa, A. (2010). E-message boards for those who self-injure: Implications for E-health. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 566–569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R., Sharkey, S., Ford, T., Emmens, T., Hewis, E., Smithson, J., et al. (2011). Online discussion forums for young people who self-harm: User views. The Psychiatrist, 35, 364–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Juarascio, A. S., Shoaib, A., & Timko, C. A. (2010). Pro-eating disorder communities on social networking sites: A content analysis. Eating Disorders, 18, 393–407.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Juarez, L., Soto, E., & Pritchard, M. E. (2012). Drive for muscularity and drive for thinness: The impact of pro-anorexia websites. Eating Disorders, 20, 99–112.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klonsky, E. D., Muehlenkamp, J. J., Lewis, S. P., & Walsh, B. (2011). Non-suicidal self-injury. Cambridge, MA: Hogrefe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kress, V. E., & Hoffman, R. (2008). Non-suicidal self-injury and motivational interviewing: Enhancing readiness for change. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 30, 311–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. P., & Arbuthnott, A. E. (2012). Searching for thinspiration: The nature of Internet searches for pro-eating disorder websites. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 15, 200–204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. P., & Baker, T. G. (2011). The possible risks of self-injury web sites: A content analysis. Archives of Suicide Research, 15, 390–396.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. P., Heath, N. L., Michal, N. J., & Duggan, J. M. (2012). Non-suicidal self-injury, youth, and the Internet: What mental health professionals need to know. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 6, 13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. P., Heath, N. L., Sornberger, M. J., & Arbuthnott, A. E. (2012). Helpful or harmful? An examination of viewer’s responses to nonsuicidal self-injury videos on YouTube. Journal of Adolescent Health, 51, 380–385.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. P., Heath, N. L., St. Denis, J. M., & Noble, R. (2011). The scope of nonsuicidal self-injury on YouTube. Pediatrics, 127, e552–e557.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, S. P., Rosenrot, S. A., & Messner, M. A. (2012). Seeking validation in unlikely places: The nature of online questions about non-suicidal self-injury. Archives of Suicide Research, 16, 263–272.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald, P., Hibbs, R., Corfield, F., & Treasure, J. (2012). The use of motivational interviewing in eating disorders: A systematic review. Psychiatry Research, 200, 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKenna, K. Y. A., Green, A., & Gleason, M. (2002). Relationship formation on the internet: What’s the big attraction? Journal of Social Issues, 58, 9–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mulveen, R., & Hepworth, J. (2006). An interpretative phenomenological analysis of participation in a pro-anorexia Internet site and its relationship with disordered eating. Journal of Health Psychology, 11, 283–296.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, C. D., & Fox, J. (2006). Do Internet self-harm discussion groups alleviate or exacerbate self-harming behaviour? Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 5(3), 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niwa, K. D., & Mandrusiak, M. N. (2012). Self-injury groups on facebook. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 46, 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peebles, R., Wilson, J. L., Litt, I. F., Hardy, K. K., Locks, J. D., Mann, J. R., et al. (2012). Disordered eating in a digital age: Eating behaviors, health, and quality of life in users of websites with pro-eating disorder content. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14, e148.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1997). The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. American Journal of Health Promotion, 12, 38–48.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ransom, D. C., La Guardia, J. G., Woody, E. Z., & Boyd, J. L. (2010). Interpersonal interactions on online forums addressing eating concerns. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 43, 161–170.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riley, S., Rodham, K., & Gavin, J. (2009). Doing weight: Pro-ana and recovery identities in cyberspace. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 19, 348–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodham, K., Gavin, J., & Miles, M. (2007). I hear, I listen and I care: A qualitative investigation into the function of a self-harm message board. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 37, 422–430.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rouleau, C. R., & von Ranson, K. M. (2011). Potential risks of pro-eating disorder websites. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 525–531.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smithson, J., Sharkey, S., Hewis, E., Jones, R., Emmens, T., Ford, T., et al. (2011). Problem presentation and responses on an online forum for young people who self-harm. Discourse Studies, 13, 487–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sornberger, M., Joly, M., Heath, N. L., & Lewis, S. P. (2012, June). What hath research wrought: Evaluating knowledge transfer of NSSI via online news media. Symposium: New Millenium Media & Non-suicidal Self-injury: Implications for Mental Health Professionals. Canadian Psychological Association Annual Convention, Halifax, NS.

    Google Scholar 

  • St. Denis, J. M., Lewis, S. P., Rodham, K., & Gavin, J. (2012, July). The first cut may not be the deepest: Descriptions of NSSI as an addiction. Presented at the 7th Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Self-injury (ISSS), Chapel Hill, NC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Theis, F., Wolf, M., & Kordy, H. (2011, March). Experimental examination of the exposure to pro-eating disorders and pro-recovery website contents. Paper presented at the 2nd INTACT Symposium, Prague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tierney, S. (2008). The dangers and draw of online communication: Pro-anorexia websites and their implications for users, practitioners, and researchers. Eating Disorders, 14, 181–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Treasure, J., Claudino, M. A., & Zucker, N. (2010). Eating disorders. The Lancet, 375, 583–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wesemann, D., & Grunwald, M. (2008). Online discussion groups for bulimia nervosa: An inductive approach to Internet-based communication between patients. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 41, 527–534.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead, K. (2010). “Hunger hurts but starving works”: A case study of gendered practices in the online pro-eating-disorder community. Canadian Journal of Sociology, 35, 595–626.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitlock, J. L., Lader, W., & Conterio, K. (2007). The Internet and self-injury: What psychotherapists should know. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, 63, 1135–1143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whitlock, J. L., Powers, J. P., & Eckenrode, J. E. (2006). The virtual cutting edge: Adolescent self-injury and the Internet. Developmental Psychology, 42, 407–417.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, J. L., Peebles, R., Hardy, K. K., & Litt, I. F. (2006). Surfing for thinness: A pilot study of pro-eating disorder web site usage in adolescents with eating disorders. Pediatrics, 118, e1635–e1643.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yom-Tov, E., Fernandez-Luque, L., Weber, I., & Crains, S. P. (2012). Pro-anorexia and pro-recovery photo sharing: A tale of two warring tribes. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14, e151.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

    Stephen P. Lewis & Alexis E. Arbuthnott

Authors
  1. Stephen P. Lewis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alexis E. Arbuthnott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen P. Lewis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Laurence Claes

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA

    Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lewis, S.P., Arbuthnott, A.E. (2014). Non-suicidal Self-Injury, Eating Disorders, and the Internet. In: Claes, L., Muehlenkamp, J. (eds) Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Eating Disorders. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40107-7_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-40107-7_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-40106-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-40107-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation