The Power of Patient’s Story: Navigating Patients’ Narratives in Reducing ED Stigma and Promoting Positive Attitudes and Behaviors Around Food

While social media perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards and extreme dieting, it also offers a platform for support and information sharing among those with eating disorders (ED). A growing body of literature indicates positive outcomes from individuals sharing their recovery journeys online, but few studied how these personal stories are received by the general audience. Through an online experiment, this study investigates the persuasive effects of patient narratives on reducing ED stigma, improving food attitudes, and promoting self-care behaviors, particularly among young women. Results suggest that narratives significantly influence emotions and food attitudes, with varying effects based on eating disorder risk levels. Emotionally engaging narratives lead to increased compassion and stigma reduction.