Associations between social media and eating disorders (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa): a systematic review

• Main Authors: Choa, Boon How, Chan, Celine Shu Ying, Hoe, Yew Ron
• Other Authors: Charles Or
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/168311
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Background: The prevalence of eating disorders (ED) among young adults is increasing significantly in recent years, with a rising number of patients suffering from chronic ED. At the same time, social media platforms have since gained exponential popularity amongst the young. While social media offers comfortable convenience and effortless connectivity, they also exert notable influence on most users' perceptions and behaviors. The two simultaneous trends signify the need to scrutinize the relationship between social media and eating disorders. Aim: The aim of this paper is to explore the associations between social media usage and disordered eating symptoms, which play a role in the maintenance of eating disorders. Methods: We have conducted a systematic review based on literature from Google Scholar and Proquest. A total of 64 (44 quantitative literature and 20 qualitative) studies were included and critically analyzed. Results: Both passive and active social media use suggest influence maintenance of negative body concepts and body perception, contributing to eating disorder symptomatology. Social media has a profound effect on eating disorder recovery as well. Conclusion: To prevent and successfully treat EDs, the influence of social media on the population cannot be overlooked. Greater awareness regarding the unconscious harm towards body concept and perception that accompanies social media usage is needed. Keywords: Eating Disorder, Social Media, Body Concept, Body Perception, Body Image, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Recovery, Mixed-Methods Synthesis