Computer-mediated communication and social support among eating-disordered individuals: An analysis of the alt.support.eating-disord news group.

Abstract

This study examined the online community of the alt.support.eating-disord (ased) news group. Using ethnography of communication, one month of interaction among ased participants was analyzed to determine how these individuals solicit and recognize the solicitation of social support from others. Ethnography of communication examines the language of a speech community and looks at how the participants use their own unique patterns of communication. Participants readily recognize others by the ways in which they communicate. The participants co-create the community through their communication. Participants of ased comprise a unique speech community which has norms of language usage, adaptations for nonverbal communication that would normally be present in face-to-face interaction, and vocabulary situated to this particular community. The data also revealed that participants solicit social support through five basic strategies: self-deprecating comments, shared experiences, requests for information, statements of personal success, and statements of extreme behavior. Each of these strategies is recognizable by other ased participants, and social support is provided accordingly. The results of this study provide pragmatic use for people involved with eating disordered individuals or with support groups. The results also provide insight into online community interaction and communication.