Results
All analyses were conducted using SPSS ; all correlations were
calculated using Spearman’s ρ to account for non-normal variables
(Bishara & Hittner, 2012). Results concerning the scales of the EDE-Q
and the scales assessing constructs of the IPTS showed a general pattern
of moderate and strong associations between thwarted belongingness
(ρ = .27 - .45), perceived burdensomeness (ρ = .33 - .52),
and suicidal thoughts/behaviors (ρ = .28 - .38). Fearlessness
about death was not correlated with any of the EDE-Q scales. See Table 1
for a list of these correlations. The correlations between the EDE-Q
scales and suicide risk (see Table 2) were generally lower (ρ =
.19 - .24), but it should be noted that these measures lack shared
method variance.
When analyzing the association between specific problematic eating
behaviors and suicide risk, feeling as if one has lost control while
eating (ρ = .30), number of days one engages in binging (ρ= .32), and purging (ρ = .36) were all moderately correlated with
suicide risk. Excessive exercising (ρ = .25) and binging episodes
(ρ = .29) were approaching moderate strength, whereas laxative
use (ρ = -.04) was not correlated with suicide risk. In terms of
correlations between specific problematic eating behaviors and specific
suicide risk behaviors, laxative use and excessive exercising generally
were not correlated with any suicide risk behaviors, except for
believing that one could attempt suicide (laxative use ρ = .17)
and suicide intent (excessive exercise ρ = 28). Number of days
engaging in binge eating (ρ = .31) and a feeling of loss of
control when eating (ρ = .51) had the highest correlations with
non-suicidal self-injury, whereas purging had the highest correlations
with number of suicide attempts (ρ = .21), suicide intent
(ρ = .23), and believing one could attempt suicide (ρ =
.23). See Table 3 for a full list of these correlations.