Money & society · 2007
What self-images appeared in nicknames on a German eating-disorder forum?
Researchers interpreted the nicknames as expressing smallness, weightlessness, childishness, negative views of oneself and depression—and, more tentatively, self-confidence. This qualitative analysis covered 83 nicknames from the German forum Hungrig-Online; it interpreted images conveyed by names rather than establishing users’ actual psychological states.
Details
A nickname can present an image of a person without directly describing them. This study examined the meanings, stereotypes and familiar people or characters evoked by 83 nicknames on the German eating-disorder forum Hungrig-Online, considering how those elements worked together.
Researchers read images of smallness, weightlessness, childishness, negative self-evaluation and depression in the names. They also suggested, more tentatively, that some conveyed self-confidence. Many of these attributes were linked to varied ideas of femininity, and the authors discussed their possible connections to general characteristics of eating disorders. These are interpretations of names in a particular forum, not confirmation of users’ psychological states or evidence that nicknames cause eating disorders.
The authors also questioned the forum’s extensive nickname-registration rules. They suggested that nicknames may be especially important for constructing identity in online groups dealing with sensitive topics, but did not establish an effect of those rules.
What do you think?
Good conversations begin with curiosity.
You can read comments without an account. Sign in to write.
Loading comments…