Overview

Eating disorders remain little understood by the public, and sensationalist stories in the media have done little to dispel simplistic and reductionist perspectives. This edited volume uses a range of language-centred approaches to provide much needed critical in-depth analysis and interdisciplinary synthesis. The book brings together researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds – including communication and information studies, journalism, linguistics, mental health, nursing, psychology and public health – in a collective endeavour to explore the complex relationship between eating disorders, public discourse and lived experiences. Topics tackled include the use of stigmatising narrative frames, stereotypes and metaphors; identity construction in online spaces; the ways in which individuals affected by eating disorders interpret media representations; and how parents write about their experiences of caring for children with eating disorders. The volume synthesises evidence from a range of data types, including UK and international newspapers, social media, online communities, blogs and forums, apps and in-depth interviews, and reflects a variety of cultural perspectives, including those held in the United States, the UK, Spain and Turkey. It will be of interest to academics, practitioners, students, mental health advocates, and anyone interested in how we make sense of eating disorders.

Full Product Details

Author:   Laura A. Cariola
Publisher:   University of Exeter Press
Imprint:   University of Exeter Press
ISBN:  

9781804132234

ISBN 10:   1804132233
Pages:   364
Publication Date:   16 September 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.

Table of Contents

Introduction Laura A. Cariola DOI: 10.47788/BASF7279 Part I Traditional Media and Public Discourse 1. Eating Disorder Metaphors in the American and Spanish Press Carolina Figueras Bates DOI: 10.47788/QWOM4518 2. Animal Metaphors in Women’s Magazines: Their Potential Link with Eating Disorders Irene López-Rodríguez DOI: 10.47788/HKAQ8861 3. Challenging the Stigma of a ‘Woman’s Illness’ and ‘Feminine Problem’: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of News Stories About Eating Disorders and Men Scott Parrott, Kimberly Bissell, Nicholas Eckhart and Bumsoo Park DOI: 10.47788/LXVK2554 4. Representations of Anorexia Nervosa in National Media: A Frame Analysis of the UK Press Matt Bowen and Rhian Waller DOI: 10.47788/UBYL4471 5. Representations of Eating Disorders in Turkish News Media Hayriye Gulec DOI: 10.47788/UPWL9354 6. Experiencing Newspaper Representations of Eating Disorders: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study Laura A. Cariola and Billy Lee DOI: 10.47788/XATI1798 7. Narrative Experiences of Social Media and the Internet from Men with Eating Disorders Gareth Lyons, Sue McAndrew and Tony Warne DOI: 10.47788/DBCF4677 Part II Participatory Media and User-Generated Discourse 8. Online Negative Enabling Support Group (ONESG) Theory: Understanding Online Extreme Community Communication Promoting Negative Health Behaviours Stephen M. Haas, Nancy A. Jennings and Pamara F. Chang DOI: 10.47788/PISN2308 9. Eating Disorder Discourse in a Diet and Fitness App Community: Understanding User Needs Through Exploratory Mixed Methods Elizabeth V. Eikey, Oliver Golden, Zhuoxi Chen and Qiuer Chen DOI: 10.47788/DCZA4511 10. Using Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Approaches to Investigate Online Communication About Eating Disorders: A Reflective Account Dawn Branley-Bell DOI: 10.47788/QSFW4482 11. ‘I’ll Never Be Skinny Enough’: A Fantasy Theme Analysis of Pro-Anorexia Discourse Allyn Lueders DOI: 10.47788/SDQF1133 12. Lived Experiences of Parents Raising Children with Eating Disorders: A Thematic Analysis Emma O’Rourke and Laura A. Cariola DOI: 10.47788/MMRH9260 13. ‘Anorexia is Seen as a GOOD Thing When You’re Fat!’: Constructing ‘Eating Disorders’ in Fat Acceptance Blogs Wendy Solomons, Kate Davenport and Joanne McDowell DOI: 10.47788/UHLM5757 Discussion Index

Reviews

As the authors suggest, and I concur, Eating Disorders in Public Discourse is a great launching point toward a future of greater autonomy, understanding, and potential solutions to eradicating the stigma behind EDs. -- Dalton Bouzek * International Journal of Communication *

Author Information

Dr Laura A. Cariola is lecturer in Applied Psychology, in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, at the School of Health in Social Science at the University of Edinburgh, with specialisms in both Applied Linguistics and Psychology. She is a chartered member of the British Psychological Society: Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers in Psychology; and Division of Counselling Psychology.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions