PS19 - Suicide-Related Behavior in Vulnerable Populations: From Community to Clinical Settings

Suicidal Risk in Adolescents With an Eating Disorder: The Role of the Feelings of Emptiness
August, 29 | 14:00 - 15:30

Introduction: Eating Disorders (EDs) are serious mental illnesses characterized by abnormal eating behaviors that negatively affect the health, emotions, and overall functioning of those affected. These disorders often manifest as extreme concerns about food, weight, and body shape, leading to harmful eating patterns. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to the significant physical, mental, and social changes they experience during this developmental stage. EDs, such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia, represent a significant public health challenge due to their increasing prevalence and their association with suicidal behaviors. Objectives: The study aims to examine the association between EDs and suicidal behaviors in adolescents, as well as to identify the risk factors involved. Specific objectives include determining the relationship between EDs and suicidal ideation, analyzing the association between EDs and the number of suicidal behaviors, and investigating the relationship between EDs, suicidal behavior, and feelings of emptiness in adolescents. Methods: Seventy-one adolescents with suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts were recruited. Questionnaires and interviews, such as the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Emptiness Scale, and a sociodemographic scale were used. Clinical (ED) and control groups were compared using statistical tests such as Pearson's ?² and Student's t-tests. Results: It was found that 32.4% of participants had some type of ED, and these individuals were more likely to have disorders such as mania, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychotic mood disorder. Additionally, they exhibited higher levels of impulsivity and feelings of emptiness. The clinical group showed greater intensity of suicidal ideation and more suicidal behaviors than the control group. Conclusions: The results underscore the importance of identifying and addressing EDs in adolescents, as well as considering impulsivity and feelings of emptiness as risk factors for suicidal behaviors. Specific preventive and therapeutic interventions are needed to reduce the risk of suicide in this vulnerable population.

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