It’s become a blockbuster sensation since its 2011 release, but Fifty Shades of Grey isn’t having a positive impact on its many young readers.
According to a new study published in the Journal of Women’s Health, young adult women who read the Fifty Shades books are more likely than nonreaders to exhibit signs of eating disorders and have a verbally abusive partner.
The study, carried out by a Michigan State University researcher, further finds that women who read all three books in the series are at increased risk of engaging in binge drinking and are more likely to have multiple sex partners.
Amy Bonomi, the study’s lead investigator, suggested that all are known risks associated with being in an abusive relationship can be seen in lead character of the series, Anastasia.
The study did not state whether women experienced the behaviours before or after reading the trilogy, but researchers suggest it is problematic in either instance.
“If women experienced adverse health behaviors such as disordered eating first, reading Fifty Shades might reaffirm those experiences and potentially aggravate related trauma,” said Bonomi, chairperson and professor in MSU’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies.
“Likewise, if they read Fifty Shades before experiencing the health behaviors seen in our study, it’s possible the books influenced the onset of these behaviors.”
Jamie Doran and Dakota Johnson star in the upcoming film version of the novel
The study included more than 650 women aged from 18-24. Those who read Fifty Shades were 25 per cent more likely to have a partner who yelled or swore at them; 34 per cent more likely to have a partner who demonstrated stalking tendencies; and more than 75 per cent were more likely to have used diet aids or fasted for more than 24 hours.
Bonomi said in a statement that she is not calling for a ban on the book or to restrict women’s reading habits, but stated: “We recognize that the depiction of violence against women in and of itself is not problematic, especially if the depiction attempts to shed serious light on the problem. The problem comes when the depiction reinforces the acceptance of the status quo, rather than challenging it.”
The film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey is due in cinemas on February 14th, 2015.
