Tierney (2008) effectively compares social capital, the idea that membership in a group and sharing of common values are beneficial, with the prospect of membership in communities such as that of the virtual pro-ana community. For each possible “benefit” that could be argued in favor of these websites, Tierney provides a likely harmful consequence.
Positive: Pro-ana websites provide an outlet for those who feel isolated from society
Negative: promote dysfunctional behaviors that often jeopardize the well-being of individuals
Positive: sense of information-sharing can be empowering
Negative: questions/comments posted could be ignored exacerbating feelings of loneliness and despair; advice may be inaccurate
Positive: individuals are allowed to regard their condition as “normal” without being stigmatized and can focus on emotional aspects in addition to the physiological symptoms normally addressed by clinicians.
Negative: individuals may further isolate themselves from mainstream society and may become unable to acknowledge that their behavior is life-threatening; individuals may not seek necessary outside support because they are so immersed in their community.
Positive: pro-ana websites may be avenues for social support
Negative: drive to be the thinnest can make face-to-face group treatments problematic as individuals feel the need to compete with others.
Positive: emotional support can be given through websites with the physical appearance of other users remaining unknown
Negative: users frequently post photographs of themselves, which are often triggering for their competitors
Positive: a sense of trust may be generated as result of bonds formed through pro-ana websites
Negative: those with anorexia are sometimes suspicious about external offers for help, fearing that others are simply trying to make them fat.
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