Body Investment, Depression, and Alcohol Use as Risk Factors for Suicide Proneness in College Students

Background: Individuals who are less invested in their bodies, experiencing symptoms of depression, and consuming alcohol are at increased risk for engaging in suicidal behaviors. Aims: This study examined the relationships among three risk factors - body investment, depression, and alcohol use - and suicide proneness as measured by the Life Attitudes Schedule - Short Form (LAS-SF) in college students (N = 318). Methods: Path analysis was used to construct a causal model of suicide proneness. The Body Investment Scale (BIS) subscales were assumed to be causally prior to depression, which was in turn modeled as occurring prior to alcohol use, which was in turn modeled as prior to suicide proneness. Results: As expected, suicide proneness was positively predicted by alcohol use, alcohol use was positively predicted by depression, and depression was negatively predicted by the body image component of the BIS. Additionally, the body image-suicide proneness link was significantly mediated by depression and its direct effect on suicide proneness as well as by the two-mediator path of body image on depression on drinking on suicide proneness. Conclusions: Implications are offered for the improved identification and treatment of young adults at risk for suicidal and health-diminishing behaviors.