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Evidence Base

Individual Differences Associated with Exposure to “Ana-Mia” Websites: An Examination of Adolescents from 25 European Countries

Keywords

Cyberpsychology Eating Disorders Internet Personality Traits Proana Promia ProED Disinhibition Sensation Seeking Media Exposure EU Kids Online

Publication details

Year: 2016
DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2016.0098
Issued: 2016
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 8
Start Page: 475
End Page: 480
Editors:
Authors: Almenara C.A.; Macháčková H.; Smahel D.
Type: Journal article
Journal: Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Topics: Internet usage, practices and engagement; Risks and harms; Wellbeing; Content-related issues
Sample: Adolescents from a large cross-national survey in 25 European countries (N=18,709, aged 11–16, 50% girls)
Implications For Policy Makers About: Stepping up awareness and empowerment
Implications For Stakeholders About: Researchers

Abstract

This study explores the individual differences associated with adolescents' exposure to ‘‘ana-mia" websites (i.e., websites where people discuss ways to be very thin, such as being anorexic). Participants were adolescents from a large cross-national survey in 25 European countries (N = 18,709, aged 11–16, 50% girls). Sociodemographic and individual factors (i.e., variables related to Internet use and personality traits) were included in a logistic regression performed separately for girls and boys. The results showed that sensation seeking and online disinhibition were both associated with an increased risk of exposure to ‘‘ana-mia" websites in girls as well as in boys, although some gender differences were apparent. In girls, but not in boys, the older the child and higher the socioeconomic status, higher the chance of being exposed to ‘‘ana-mia" websites. Further research is recommended to understand the real impact of ‘‘ana-mia" website exposure on adolescent health.

Outcome

"sensation seeking and online disinhibition were both associated with an increased risk of exposure to ‘‘ana-mia’’ websites in girls as well as in boys, although some gender differences were apparent. In girls, but not in boys, the older the child and higher the socioeconomic status, higher the chance of being exposed to ‘‘ana-mia’’ websites" (Almenara, Machackova, & Smahel, 2016, Abstract) "The results showed that sensation seeking and online disinhibition were both associated with an increased risk of exposure to ‘‘ana-mia’’ websites in girls as well as in boys. ... In our investigation, about one out of 10 adolescents reported being exposed to ‘‘ana-mia’’ websites, and this experience was more than double in girls than in boys." (Almenara, Machackova, & Smahel, 2016, p. 478)

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