Perceived Body Discrimination and Intentional Self-Harm and Suicidal Behavior in Adolescence



Sutin, Angelina, Robinson, Eric ORCID: 0000-0003-3586-5533, Daly, Michael and Terracciano, Antonio
(2018) Perceived Body Discrimination and Intentional Self-Harm and Suicidal Behavior in Adolescence. Childhood Obesity, 14 (8). pp. 528-536.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>This study examines whether discrimination based on the body is associated with intentional self-harm and suicidal behavior in adolescence.<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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.<h4>Conclusions</h4>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.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Humans, Body Weight, Cross-Sectional Studies, Self-Injurious Behavior, Body Image, Adolescent, Australia, Female, Male, Bullying, Suicidal Ideation, Social Discrimination
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 19 Dec 2018 10:32
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 01:08
DOI: 10.1089/chi.2018.0096
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3030210