deletions | additions       diff --git a/Pro-Anorexia Blogs.tex b/Pro-Anorexia Blogs.tex  index b33e62b..8d8ca56 100644  --- a/Pro-Anorexia Blogs.tex  +++ b/Pro-Anorexia Blogs.tex 
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A weblog is defined as an electronic journal where individuals share and self-disclose observations and thoughts about their lives (Blood, 2002). One of the attributes attractive to individuals about blogs is that they can post anonymously to a perceived vast audience (Qian Scott, 2007). Additionally, writing and disclosing on blogs is characterized as a social activity because disclosures are posted in what is considered a public space accessible to many people (Nardi, Schiano, Gumbrecht, 2004). Individuals may increasingly self-disclose on blogs because of mediated exhibitionism through self-disclosures. This can consequently foster insights into one’s experiences and provide better understanding of the self (Pennebaker, Mayne, Francis, 1997). For example, there is empirical evidence that suggest blogs serve the purpose of personal expression well and represent an ideal medium for self-disclosure (Papacharissi, 2004). Blogs have become a context in which self-disclosing is a norm (Van House, 2004).   For the purposes of our study, we focus on pro-anorexic blogs, specifically LiveJournal. Common features on blogs like pro-anorexic LiveJournal include discussion forums where there is provision of emotional support, photo galleries, and creeds on how to become the ideal pro-ana (Norris et al., 2006). In addition to the characteristics of the pro-anorexic blogs, a majority of the existing research examines the pro-anorexia phenomenon with content analyses of the websites themselves and what is being communicated on these discussion boards (e.g. Dias, 2003; Lipczynska, 2007; Mulveen&  Hepworth, 2006; Eichhorn, 2008). The functional effects of being a member or being a viewer of these blogs has been explored as well. For example, Bardone-Cone and Cass (2007) found that viewing these pro-anorexic sites as someone who does not have anorexia leads to an increase in negative affect, a decrease in social self-esteem, and an increase in negative body image. Whereas, other studies have found that these sites are used as coping mechanisms for those who feel stigmatized due to their illness. For example, Lyons et al. (2006) found that pro-ana’s have a particular style of communicating and disclosing on these sites that have implications of coping through stabilizing their emotions. Self-disclosure can vary in depth and degree (Altman Taylor, 1973; Derlega et al., 1993). So, these self-disclosures on pro-anorexic blogs may range from intimate information to more superficial details. However, the range of the type of self-disclosures can be explained by the individual’s choice to disclose in different contexts.