Meshan Lehmann1, Matthew R Hilimire2, Lawrence H Yang3, Bruce G Link3,4, Jordan E DeVylder1. 1. 1 School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA. 2. 2 Department of Psychology, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA. 3. 3 Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. 4. 4 Department of Sociology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-esteem is a major contributor to risk for repeated suicide attempts. Prior research has shown that awareness of stigma is associated with reduced self-esteem among people with mental illness. No prior studies have examined the association between self-esteem and stereotype awareness among individuals with past suicide attempts. AIMS: To understand the relationship between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among young adults who have and have not attempted suicide. METHOD: Computerized surveys were administered to college students (N = 637). Linear regression analyses were used to test associations between self-esteem and stereotype awareness, attempt history, and their interaction. RESULTS: There was a significant stereotype awareness by attempt interaction (β = -.74, p = .006) in the regression analysis. The interaction was explained by a stronger negative association between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among individuals with past suicide attempts (β = -.50, p = .013) compared with those without attempts (β = -.09, p = .037). CONCLUSION: Stigma is associated with lower self-esteem within this high-functioning sample of young adults with histories of suicide attempts. Alleviating the impact of stigma at the individual (clinical) or community (public health) levels may improve self-esteem among this high-risk population, which could potentially influence subsequent suicide risk.
BACKGROUND: Self-esteem is a major contributor to risk for repeated suicide attempts. Prior research has shown that awareness of stigma is associated with reduced self-esteem among people with mental illness. No prior studies have examined the association between self-esteem and stereotype awareness among individuals with past suicide attempts. AIMS: To understand the relationship between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among young adults who have and have not attempted suicide. METHOD: Computerized surveys were administered to college students (N = 637). Linear regression analyses were used to test associations between self-esteem and stereotype awareness, attempt history, and their interaction. RESULTS: There was a significant stereotype awareness by attempt interaction (β = -.74, p = .006) in the regression analysis. The interaction was explained by a stronger negative association between stereotype awareness and self-esteem among individuals with past suicide attempts (β = -.50, p = .013) compared with those without attempts (β = -.09, p = .037). CONCLUSION: Stigma is associated with lower self-esteem within this high-functioning sample of young adults with histories of suicide attempts. Alleviating the impact of stigma at the individual (clinical) or community (public health) levels may improve self-esteem among this high-risk population, which could potentially influence subsequent suicide risk.
Authors: Yuhui Wan; Ruoling Chen; Shanshan Wang; Sophie Orton; Danni Wang; Shichen Zhang; Ying Sun; Fangbiao Tao Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-08-09 Impact factor: 3.390