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Mental health

Eating Disorders and Suicidal Ideation: Key Findings from Iranian Community Study

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research on eating disorders (EDs) and their association with suicidal ideation and attempts has been conducted among Iranian community members. The study, led by Zoe Bridges-Curry and colleagues from the University of Louisville, found that individuals with ED symptoms, particularly binge/purge type, had higher odds of suicide attempts. The researchers also discovered that thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and capability for suicide, as per the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS), were significantly associated with suicidality. The study highlights the importance of incorporating IPTS factors into assessments of clients presenting with ED symptoms and suicidality.

Key Takeaways:

  • A six-class solution was revealed through latent profile analysis (LPA), with the classes having the highest levels of IPTS and binge/purge-related symptoms having the highest odds of suicide attempts.
  • Thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and capability for suicide were significantly associated with suicidality in individuals with ED symptoms.
  • The measurement of IPTS factors is crucial for individuals with binge/purge type eating disorder symptoms, as they are particularly important for predicting suicidal ideation and attempts.
  • The study suggests that incorporating IPTS factors into assessments of clients presenting with ED symptoms and suicidality may improve treatment outcomes.
  • The research was conducted among 773 Iranian community members who completed a battery of scales assessing ED symptoms, suicide-related risk factors, and suicidal ideation and attempts.

Statistics:

  • 773 participants were included in the study.
  • 6 classes were identified through latent profile analysis (LPA).
  • The classes with the highest levels of IPTS and binge/purge-related symptoms had the highest odds of suicide attempts (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.44-3.75).
  • Thwarted belongingness accounted for 25% of the variance in suicidality, while perceived burdensomeness accounted for 18% of the variance.

Sources:

  • Bridges-Curry, Z., Sahlan, R. N., Kinkel-Ram, S. S., Christian, C., & Smith, A. R. (2025). Subtypes of Eating Disorder Symptoms, Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, Capability for Suicide, and Their Associations With Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempts. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 55(5).
  • (2025). Data on Eating Disorders Described by Researchers at University of Louisville. Mental Health Weekly Digest, October 13, p 161.
  • Wiley. (n.d.). Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. Retrieved from

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