The impact of snapchat usage on drunkorexia behaviors in college women

Abstract

Objective

Research has shown the deleterious effects of drunkorexia behaviors. The goal of this project was to examine the impact of college women’s Snapchat usage on drunkorexia behavior frequencies and motives, through comparing one’s body to others and internal drives for thinness.

Participants

636 college women (Study 1 N = 109, Study 2 N = 527) were recruited from a large research institution in the Southwestern U.S.

Methods

Participants completed an online survey regarding Snapchat usage, body comparison indices, drive for thinness, and drunkorexia behaviors and motives.

Results

Findings support the hypotheses that Snapchat usage impacts drunkorexia behaviors in general (Study 1), and specific drunkorexia motives (Study 2). These effects were mediated by an index of body comparisons and drive for thinness.

Conclusions

College women may be at risk for drunkorexia due to their experiences on social media. Aspects of the platform may be pushing women toward disturbed eating habits.

Keywords:

• disordered eating
• drive for thinness
• drunkorexia
• social media