Social Support in a Men’s Online Eating Disorder Forum

Abstract

Recent research has shown social support to be a useful theoretical framework when investigating women’s online eating disorder forums. We sought to identify the types of social support present and the various functions each serve for members of a men’s online forum. To answer the research questions, we conducted a deductive thematic analysis of 358 posts by 89 members of a UK-based men’s eating disorder forum. Consistent with past research on women’s forums, the most common types of support were informational, emotional and personal disclosure. In addition, advice emerged as a unique and prominent category of social support. Five broad themes of social support are also discussed and implications for future research using the social support framework were provided.