Warning, reading 'Fifty Shades of Grey' could be emotionally hazardous to your health.
Warning, reading Fifty Shades of Grey could be emotionally hazardous to your health.
A new study conducted by a Michigan State University researcher claims that young adult women who read all three books in the erotic series are "at an increased risk of engaging in binge drinking and having multiple sex partners."
WATCH: The Fifty Shades of Grey Trailer Doesn't Skip Out on the S&M Scenes
But that's not even the worst of it. Amy Bonomi, the study's lead investigator and the chairperson and professor of MSU's Department of Human Development and Family Studies, says young women readers of the book are also more likely to exhibit symptoms of eating disorders and are more prone to verbally abusive partners as opposed to those who have not read Fifty Shades of Grey.
"If women experienced adverse health behaviors such as disordered eating first, reading Fifty Shades might reaffirm those experiences and potentially aggravate related trauma," Bonomi observed. "If women experienced adverse health behaviors such as disordered eating first, reading Fifty Shades might reaffirm those experiences and potentially aggravate related trauma."
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That being said, Bonomi adds that it's up to parents and teachers to have conversations with these young adults about their sexuality and body image. "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," she said. "The problem comes when the depiction reinforces the acceptance of the status quo, rather than challenging it."
In Fifty Shades of Grey, college student Anastasia Steele loses her virginity to billionaire, S&M enthusiast Christian Grey, and is swept up into his world of whips and chains.
Do you agree with this study?
Check out the Fifty Shades on-screen stars' reaction to the S&M novel-turned-movie, below: