JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The patient-centred approach has been identified as essential for quality health care and patient safety. Knowledge of the service user’s view of the maintenance factors involved in the health problem is necessary for successful treatment, particularly with patients who tend not to recognise their condition as clinically relevant or worrying.

Objective:

This research examines how young women in recovery from eating disorders (EDs) perceive the health risks and potentialities associated with visual social networks (i.e. Instagram and Snapchat), which the literature has found to be detrimental for online body comparisons. Although the heavy use of visual social media has been associated with body dissatisfaction and EDs, too little is known about the meanings that users associate with posts of or searches for edited photos and the strategies they use to protect themselves from digital risks during treatment.

Methods:

Thirty semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescent girls aged 14–17 at the end of their treatment for EDs. Content analysis was applied.

Results:

Seven main themes emerged: active or passive role in social network (SN) use, the impact of online interactions on a person’s relationship with their body, investment in appearing photographic effects on the self, perceived risks, self-protection strategies such as critical thinking, avoidance of sensitive content and increased SN control. There was a strong awareness of the processes that trigger confrontations with the body and create insecurity. All the topics mentioned were considered fundamental.

Conclusions:

The results highlight the need to address this issue during hospitalisation so as to develop skills and critical thinking for the purpose of modifying the small habits that prolong the problem in everyday life. The limitations inherent in established service practices, which do not focus on the person’s needs and have no impact on their post-treatment life, must also be rethought.