Factors Associated with Suicide Ideation in Severely Obese Bariatric Surgery‐Seeking Individuals

Abstract

There are high rates of suicide ideation and/or behavior in severely obese individuals. The potential contributors to suicide ideation in a sample of 334 severely obese bariatric surgery candidates was explored. Lack of college education, a history of suicide ideation and/or behavior, psychological distress, hopelessness, loneliness, history of physical and/or sexual abuse, and lifetime major depression were associated with current suicide ideation. Some of the correlates of suicide ideation in severely obese bariatric surgery-seeking samples are similar to those found in the general community and this knowledge may serve to improve the psychological assessment and care for this group.

The Social and Emotional Lives of Overweight, Obese, and Severely Obese Children

“…This may suggest that recent intervention efforts are effective for children at risk for obesity or with nonmorbid obesity but may not be effective for severely obese children. If true, this is a serious concern, given our evidence of children's painful experiences with severe obesity and findings such as increased risk of suicide among populations of severely obese adults (e.g., Chen et al., ). The theme that emerged in our data about severely obese children being rejected, made fun of, teased, picked on, and disliked suggests that interventions aimed at change in the peer group's behavior (e.g., Harrist & Bradley, ) might be necessary to improve severely obese children's quality of life; these changes might ultimately improve their physical health, as well (see Swindle et al., ).…”

Sexual Assault, Overweight, and Suicide Attempts in U.S. Adolescents

“…Research examining (a) overweight and suicide, and (b) sexual assault and suicide has produced inconsistent yet overlapping results, suggesting there may be a common third variable involvement. That is, studies of the relationship between obesity and suicide risk in specialized populations (e.g., bariatric samples) have identified sexual abuse as a possible third variable (Chen et al., ); however, most studies evaluating these variables in adolescents include depressive mood and/or sadness/hopelessness as covariates (Kim & Lee, ; Zeller, Reiter‐Purtill, Jenkins, & Ratcliff, ). Sexual assault history is less often considered as a covariate or variable of interest.…”

Patient experiences of a bariatric group programme for managing obesity: A qualitative interview study

“…This situation likely explains the observed variability and inconsistent MDT input across the care pathway (Martin, Smith, Mason, & Butt, ). It also reflects recent calls for research into the optimal organization and delivery of lifestyle interventions for obesity, and greater emphasis earlier in the care pathway on psychological assessment and support for patients to address the psychological problems commonly presented in this population (Chen et al ., ; Mühlhans, Horbach, & de Zwaan, ; Sansone, Wiederman, Schumacher, & Routsong‐Weichers, ).…”