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. 2022 Oct 25;11(4):963-978.
doi: 10.1556/2006.2022.00072. Print 2022 Dec 27.

Common and differential risk factors behind suicidal behavior in patients with impulsivity-related disorders: The case of bulimic spectrum eating disorders and gambling disorder

Eduardo Valenciano-Mendoza  1   2 , Fernando Fernández-Aranda  1   2   3   4 , Roser Granero  4   5 , Cristina Vintró-Alcaraz  1   2   4 , Bernat Mora-Maltas  1   2 , Susana Valero-Solís  1   2 , Isabel Sánchez  1   2   4 , Jessica Jimenez-de Toro  1   2 , Mónica Gómez-Peña  1   2 , Laura Moragas  1   2 , Susana Jiménez-Murcia  1   2   3   4
Affiliations

Common and differential risk factors behind suicidal behavior in patients with impulsivity-related disorders: The case of bulimic spectrum eating disorders and gambling disorder

Eduardo Valenciano-Mendoza et al. J Behav Addict. .

Abstract

Background and aims: Mental disorders with high levels of impulsivity such as bulimic spectrum eating disorders (BSED) and gambling disorder (GD) are associated with high risk of suicidal behavior. The aim of the present study was to identify the common and differential vulnerability factors behind suicide attempts in a sample of patients with BSED compared to patients with GD.

Methods: A total of 6,077 adults who sought treatment and met criteria either for BSED (n = 2,391) or GD (n = 3,686) were assessed at a specialized hospital unit. Personality traits, psychopathological symptomatology, lifetime history of suicide attempts and socio-demographic variables were evaluated.

Results: The prevalence of suicide attempts was higher for BSED patients (26.2%) compared to GD patients (7.1%) being anorexia nervosa (Binge/Purge type) and bulimia nervosa the most affected subtypes. In the predictive model, the transdiagnostic vulnerability factors with the highest contribution to the risk of suicidal behavior both in BSED and GD were unemployment, early age of onset of the disorder, worse psychopathological state, and self-transcendence personality trait. However, specific risk factors for suicidal acts were identified in each disorder: longer duration of the disorder, lower education levels and reward dependence were exclusively associated with BSED while female gender, older age, and higher harm avoidance were associated with GD.

Discussion: Patients with GD and BSED share certain vulnerability factors although certain factors are exclusive to each disorder.

Conclusions: Interventions need to pay special attention to both common and specific vulnerability factors to mitigate the risk of suicidal acts in these disorders.

Keywords: bulimic spectrum eating disorders; gambling disorder; impulsivity; risk factors; suicidal behavior.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Presence of suicidal behavior in the study (total sample)
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Percentage of participants within the non-normative range
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Main features related to the presence of suicidal behavior in the study
Fig. A1.
Fig. A1.
Presence of suicidal behavior in the study (within the diagnostic subtypes)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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