Subtypes of Eating Disorder Symptoms, Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, Capability for Suicide, and Their Associations With Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempts.

OBJECTIVE: Suicidal ideation and attempts as well as eating disorders (EDs) are common among Iranian individuals. Additionally, ED symptoms are associated with suicidality. According to the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS), factors such as thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and capability for suicide must combine for suicidality to occur. The tenets of IPTS have been supported among individuals with ED symptoms from Western countries. However, no study has yet explored how ED symptoms might co-occur with IPTS factors and potentially relate to suicidal ideation and attempts using latent profile analysis (LPA).

METHODS: Participants (N = 773) were Iranian community members who completed a battery of scales assessing ED symptoms, suicide-related risk factors, as well as suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.

RESULTS: The LPA revealed that a six-class solution best fit the data. The classes with the highest levels of IPTS and binge/purge related symptoms also had the highest odds of suicide attempts.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the measurement of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and capability for suicide is particularly important for individuals with binge/purge type eating disorder symptoms. Overall, IPTS factors should be incorporated into assessments of clients presenting with ED symptoms and suicidality.