title: Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and risk for suicide: The role of depression.
abstract: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is associated with elevated suicidality. Little is known about why BDD patients are at increased risk. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) could clarify suicidality in BDD, and theorizes that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness lead to suicidal desire, while an acquired capability for suicide is necessary to attempt suicide. No study has investigated how BDD symptoms relate to IPTS constructs or mediators of the relationship between BDD and suicidality. Individuals (N=235) enrolled in Amazon.com's Mechanical Turk (MTurk), who had appearance concerns, completed questionnaires about BDD, depression, eating pathology, and suicide risk. MTurk is an online data collection platform in which participants complete surveys for payment. BDD symptoms predicted suicidal desire, but not acquired capability for suicide. Depression mediated the relationship between BDD and suicidal desire. Research should examine how fluctuations in BDD affect suicide risk. Replication in a clinical sample may inform treatments for BDD.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States; Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States. Electronic address: ashmarieshaw@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States. Electronic address: kimarditte@gmail.com.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Arditte Hall
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States. Electronic address: liza.rosenfield@gmail.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rosenfield
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States. Electronic address: kiaratimpano@gmail.com.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Timpano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057215:Body Dysmorphic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Body dysmorphic disorder; Depression; Perceived burdensomeness; Suicide risk; Thwarted belongingness