Angelina R Sutin1, Eric Robinson2, Michael Daly3,4,5, Antonio Terracciano1. 1. 1 Florida State University College of Medicine , Tallahassee, FL. 2. 2 Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, University of Liverpool , Liverpool, United Kingdom . 3. 3 Behavioural Science Centre, University of Stirling , Stirling, United Kingdom . 4. 4 UCD Geary Institute, University College Dublin , Dublin, Ireland . 5. 5 Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland .
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study examines whether discrimination based on the body is associated with intentional self-harm and suicidal behavior in adolescence. METHODS: Participants were from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 2948; 48% female). Discrimination and items on self-harm and suicidal behavior were measured in the Wave 6 assessment, when study participants were 14-15 years old. BMI, depressive symptoms, peer victimization, and weight self-perception were also assessed. RESULTS: Discrimination was associated with increased risk of thoughts of self-harm (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.88-3.10), hurting the self on purpose (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.67-3.08), considering suicide (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.59-2.96), having a suicide plan (OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.81-2.47), attempting suicide (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.30-2.96), controlling for sociodemographic factors, BMI, and depressive symptoms. These associations generally held adjusting for peer victimization or weight self-perception. CONCLUSIONS: Weight discrimination has been associated consistently with poor outcomes in adulthood. The present research indicates these associations extend to adolescence and an extremely consequential outcome: the social experience of weight increases risk of intentional self-harm and suicidal behavior.
BACKGROUND: This study examines whether discrimination based on the body is associated with intentional self-harm and suicidal behavior in adolescence. METHODS:Participants were from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 2948; 48% female). Discrimination and items on self-harm and suicidal behavior were measured in the Wave 6 assessment, when study participants were 14-15 years old. BMI, depressive symptoms, peer victimization, and weight self-perception were also assessed. RESULTS: Discrimination was associated with increased risk of thoughts of self-harm (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.88-3.10), hurting the self on purpose (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.67-3.08), considering suicide (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.59-2.96), having a suicide plan (OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.81-2.47), attempting suicide (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.30-2.96), controlling for sociodemographic factors, BMI, and depressive symptoms. These associations generally held adjusting for peer victimization or weight self-perception. CONCLUSIONS: Weight discrimination has been associated consistently with poor outcomes in adulthood. The present research indicates these associations extend to adolescence and an extremely consequential outcome: the social experience of weight increases risk of intentional self-harm and suicidal behavior.
Authors: Stefan Perera; Rebecca B Eisen; Brittany B Dennis; Monica Bawor; Meha Bhatt; Neera Bhatnagar; Lehana Thabane; Russell de Souza; Zainab Samaan Journal: Suicide Life Threat Behav Date: 2016-04-20
Authors: Angelina R Sutin; Yannick Stephan; Joseph G Grzywacz; Eric Robinson; Michael Daly; Antonio Terracciano Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2016-09-01 Impact factor: 5.002
Authors: Meg H Zeller; Jennifer Reiter-Purtill; Todd M Jenkins; Katherine M Kidwell; Heather E Bensman; James E Mitchell; Anita P Courcoulas; Thomas H Inge; Sanita L Ley; Kathryn H Gordon; Eileen A Chaves; Gia A Washington; Heather M Austin; Dana L Rofey Journal: Surg Obes Relat Dis Date: 2019-12-24 Impact factor: 4.734