Examining the association of structural stigmas with body image-related outcomes among sexual minority individuals.

Sexual minority individuals display heightened body image disturbance, which is associated with negative health outcomes. Structural stigmas are associated with negative health outcomes among sexual minority individuals, but the association between structural stigmas and body image is not understood. Using a linear regression approach, we examined how U.S. state-level structural racism and structural sexual minority stigma were associated with body image-related outcomes including eating pathology, appearance and/or performance-enhancing drug (APED) misuse, and dysmorphic concern. Participants were 942 cisgender sexual minority individuals ages 18-30, with approximately equal representation among non-Hispanic/Latinx White, Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latinx individuals. There was not a significant main effect of state-level structural sexual minority stigma on body image-related outcomes. In states with higher structural racism, Hispanic/Latinx participants endorsed higher APED misuse, and this interaction was not significant among non-Hispanic/Latinx White individuals. This pattern was not found among Black or Asian participants, nor was it replicated for dysmorphic concern or eating pathology. Findings suggest that reducing exposure to structural racism could reduce APED misuse among Hispanic/Latinx individuals.

Gender identity-based disparities in self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among pre-teens in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Transgender individuals are at heightened risk for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs). Evidence suggests that middle childhood-aged transgender individuals experience elevated rates of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and passive suicidal ideation (SI), compared to cisgender children. Little is known about gender identity-based disparities in SI more broadly and suicidal behavior (SB) in children aged 9 and 10. The aim of this study was to examine gender identity-based disparities in SITBs among children in middle childhood (pre-teens) in a US-based sample. METHODS: Using data from the 3.0 baseline release of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, logistic regression models, unadjusted and adjusted for covariates, were performed to examine gender identity-based disparities in SITBs. RESULTS: In a model adjusted for birth sex, race/ethnicity, and household income, transgender children were at significantly higher odds for current (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.34) but not lifetime NSSI compared with cisgender children. Transgender children were at significantly higher odds for current and lifetime SI (AOR = 13.03; AOR = 5.39, respectively) and SB (AOR = 14.21; AOR = 12.64, respectively) compared with cisgender children. CONCLUSIONS: Gender identity-based disparities in SITBs may be present as early as age 9 and 10, demonstrating the need for SITB prevention and intervention efforts specific to transgender children.

Acute Shame Predicts Urges for Suicide but not for Substance Use in a Veteran Population.

OBJECTIVE: There is an urgent need to identify ways to reduce rates of suicide among Veterans with a substance use disorder. Since co-occurring disorders can make diagnosis and treatment complex, it is useful for the mental health field to examine common factors that may underlie both problems. One common factor that underlies both substance use and suicidal behavior is shame. This brief report presents data collected in an experimental study examining shame as an acute risk factor for suicide and substance use in Veterans. METHOD: Thirty-eight Veterans admitted to an inpatient Veterans Affairs Medical Center unit with suicidal ideation completed measures on depression, hopelessness, addiction, and suicidality. Participants were randomized to either a shame mood induction group or a control group, and completed pre- and postexperiment measures on urges for suicide, urges for substance use, and level of shame. RESULTS: Results indicate that an acute increase in shame resulted in an increase in an urge for suicide, but was not associated with changes in urges for substance use. CONCLUSIONS: Acute feelings of shame may be a risk factor for increases in suicidal ideation. Limitations and suggestions for future directions are discussed.