Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Self-Esteem and Social Support as Moderators of Depression, Body Image, and Disordered Eating for Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents

  • Published:
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current study investigated risk factors for suicidal ideation in a community sample of 392 adolescents (males 51.9 %; females 48.1 %), while also evaluating self-esteem, perceived parent support, and perceived peer support as protective factors and potential moderators between suicidal ideation and the 3 risk factors. Disordered eating, depression, parent support, and peer support were found to be significant predictors of current suicidal ideation, but body satisfaction was not. The relationship between depression and suicidal ideation was significantly moderated by both self-esteem and parent support, while the relationship between disordered eating and suicidal ideation was significantly moderated by peer support. Results underscore the importance of examining protective factors for suicide risk, as they have the potential to reduce suicidal ideation in adolescents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barker, E. T., & Galambos, N. L. (2003). Body dissatisfaction of adolescent girls and boys: risk and resource factors. Journal of Early Adolescence, 23, 141–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F. (1990). Suicide as escape from self. Psychology Review, 97, 90–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blascovich, J., & Tomaka, J. (1993). Measures of self-esteem. In J. P. Robinson, P. R. Shaver, & L. S. Wrightsman (Eds.), Measures of personality and social psychological attitudes (pp. 115–160). Ann Arbor: Institute for Social Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brausch, A. M., & Gutierrez, P. M. (2009). The role of body image and disordered eating as risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Suicide and Life-threatening Behavior, 39, 58–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brausch, A. M., & Muehlenkamp, J. J. (2007). Body image and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Body Image, 4, 207–212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carbonell, D. M., Reinherz, H. Z., & Giaconia, R. M. (1998). Risk and resilience in late adolescence. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 15, 251–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cash, T. F. (2000). The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. Unpublished test manual, Old Dominion University, Norfolk VA. (Ordered and received from the author via electronic mail).

  • Corcos, M., Taïeb, O., Benoit-Lamy, S., Paterniti, S., Jeammet, P., & Flament, M. F. (2002). Suicide attempts in women with bulimia nervosa: frequency and characteristics. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 106, 381–386.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crocker, A. D., & Hakim-Larson, J. (1997). Predictors of pre-adolescent depression and suicidal ideation. Canadian Journal of Behvioural Science, 29, 76–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Man, A. F., & Gutierrez, B. I. (2002). The relationship between level of self-esteem and suicidal ideation with stability of self-esteem as moderator. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 34, 235–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franzoi, S. L., & Shields, S. A. (1984). The Body-Esteem Scale: multidimensional structure and sex differences in a college population. Journal of Personality Assessment, 48, 173–178.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garber, J., Little, S., Hilsman, R., & Weaver, K. R. (1998). Family predictors of suicidal symptoms in young adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 21, 445–457.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garnefski, N., & Diekstra, R. F. W. (1996). Perceived social support from family, school, and peers: relationship with emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35, 1657–1664.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garner, D. M., & Garfinkel, P. E. (1979). The Eating Attitudes Test: an index of the symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Psychological Medicine, 9, 273–279.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J., Rosen, J. C., Leitenberg, H., & Willmuth, M. E. (1986). Validity of the eating attitudes test and the eating disorders inventory in bulimia nervosa. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 875–876.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holmbeck, G. N. (2002). Post-hoc probing of significant moderational and mediational effects in studies of pediatric populations. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 27, 87–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hull-Blanks, E. E., Kerr, B. A., & Robinson Kurpius, S. E. (2004). Risk factors of suicidal ideations and attempts in talented, at-risk girls. Suicide and Life-threatening Behavior, 34(3), 267–276.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joiner, T. E., Jr. (2005). Why people die by suicide. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, D. B., Raveis, V. H., & Davies, M. (1991). Suicidal ideation in adolescents: depression, substance use, and other risk factors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 20, 289–308.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kienhorst, W., DeWilde, E., VanDenBout, J., Diekstra, R., & Wolters, W. (1990). Characteristics of suicide attempters in a population-based sample of Dutch adolescents. British Journal of Psychiatry, 156, 243–248.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn, P. M., Rohde, P., & Seeley, J. R. (1993). Psychosocial characteristics of adolescents with a history of suicide attempt. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32, 60–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malecki, C. K., & Demaray, M. K. (2002). Measuring perceived social support: development of the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale (CSSS). Psychology in the Schools, 39, 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malecki, C. K., Demaray, M. K., & Elliott, S. N. (2000). The child and adolescent social support scale. DeKalb: Northern Illinois University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazza, J. J., & Reynolds, W. M. (1998). A longitudinal investigation of depression, hopelessness, social support, and major and minor life events and their relation to suicidal ideation in adolescents. Suicide and Life-threatening Behavior, 28, 358–374.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh, J. L., & Drapeau, C. W. (for the American Association of Suicidology). (2012). U.S.A. suicide 2010: Official final data. Washington, DC: American Association of Suicidology, dated November 28, 2012, downloaded from http://www.suicidology.org.

  • Miotto, P., de Coppi, M., Frezza, M., & Preti, A. (2003). Eating disorders and suicide risk factors in adolescents: an Italian community-based study. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 191, 437–443.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Orbach, I., Stein, D., Shani-Sela, M., & Har-Even, D. (2001). Body attitudes and body experiences in suicidal adolescents. Suicide and Life-threatening Behavior, 31, 237–249.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Overholser, J. C., Adams, D. M., Lehnert, K. L., & Brinkman, D. C. (1995). Self-esteem deficits and suicidal tendencies among adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 919–928.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto, A., Whisman, M., & McCoy, K. (1997). Suicidal ideation in adolescents: psychometric properties of the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire in a clinical sample. Psychological Assessment, 9, 63–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto, A., Whisman, M. A., & Conwell, Y. (1998). Reasons for living in a clinical sample of adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 21, 397–405.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reifman, A., & Windle, M. (1995). Adolescent suicidal behaviors as a function of depression, hopelessness, alcohol use, and social support: a longitudinal investigation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 23, 329–354.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, W. M. (1988). Suicidal ideation questionnaire: Professional manual. Odessa: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, W. M. (2002). Reynolds adolescent depression scale – 2nd Edition: Professional manual. Odessa: Psychological Assessment Resources.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rich, A. R., Kirkpatrick-Smith, J., Bonner, R. L., & Jans, F. (1992). Gender differences in the psychosocial correlates of suicidal ideation among adolescents. Suicide and Life-threatening Behavior, 22, 364–373.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rigby, K., & Slee, P. (1999). Suicidal ideation among adolescent school children, involvement in bully-victim problems, and perceived social support. Suicide and Life-threatening Behavior, 29, 119–130.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, D., & Alessi, N. (1985). Depressive symptoms and suicidal behavior in adolescents. American Journal of Psychiatry, 142, 588–592.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, J. C., Silberg, N. T., & Gross, J. (1988). Eating attitudes test and eating disorder inventory: norms for adolescent girls and boys. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56, 305–308.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1986). Conceiving the self. Malabar: Krieger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharaf, A. Y., Thompson, E. A., & Walsh, E. (2009). Protective effects of self-esteem and family support on suicide risk behaviors among at-risk adolescents. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 22(3), 160–168. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6171.2009.00194.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. R., Fink, E. L., Anestis, M. D., Ribeiro, M. D., Gordon, J. D., Davis, K. H., et al. (2013). Exercise caution: over-exercise is associated with suicidality among individuals with disorered eating. Psychiatry Research, 206(2–3), 246–255.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stellrecht, N. E., Gordon, K. H., Van Orden, K., Witte, T. K., Wingate, L. R., Cukrowicz, K. C., et al. (2006). Clinical applications of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of attempted and completed suicide. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, 62, 211–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Timmons, K. A., Selby, E. A., Lewinsohn, P. M., & Joiner, T. E. (2011). Parental displacement and adolescent suicidality: exploring the role of failed belonging. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 40(6), 807–817.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WichstrØm, L. (2009). Predictors of non-suicidal self-injury versus attempted suicide: similar or different? Archives of Suicide Research, 13, 105–122.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ystgaard, M. (1997). Life stress, social support and psychological distress in late adolescence. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 32, 277–283.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Peter M. Gutierrez, Ph.D. and Chandra E. Feltman, M.A. for their helpful comments on earlier versions of this manuscript. We would also like to acknowledge Reagan D. Brown, Ph.D. for providing statistical consultation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological Sciences, Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY, 42101, USA

    Amy M. Brausch

  2. Department of Psychology, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1125, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA

    Kristina M. Decker

Authors
  1. Amy M. Brausch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kristina M. Decker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amy M. Brausch.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Brausch, A.M., Decker, K.M. Self-Esteem and Social Support as Moderators of Depression, Body Image, and Disordered Eating for Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents. J Abnorm Child Psychol 42, 779–789 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-013-9822-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-013-9822-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation