Exploring the Relationship Between Suicidal Behavior and Obesity Among Young Hispanic Adults in the United States

Author

Nadeen Salhadar, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Joseph D. Hovey

Second Advisor

Liza Talavera-Garza

Third Advisor

Michiyo Hirai

Abstract

The rates of obesity and suicidal behavior have continued to increase over the years among young adults in the United States. Previous research has indicated a relationship between obesity and suicidal behavior, primarily among women, yet minimal research has been done to examine factors that explain this relationship (i.e., mediators). This study investigated the role of depression, body dissatisfaction, body shame and guilt, insomnia, physical health, and social anxiety on obesity and suicidal ideation among 209 college-aged Latina women. The researcher hypothesized that there would be an indirect relationship between obesity and suicidal behavior through multiple variables. Mediation analyses via bootstrapping revealed that body dissatisfaction, body shame and guilt, insomnia, and physical health significantly mediated the relationship between obesity and suicidal behavior.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Nadeen Salhadar. https://proquest.com/docview/3240612180

Recommended Citation

Salhadar, N. (2025). Exploring the Relationship Between Suicidal Behavior and Obesity Among Young Hispanic Adults in the United States [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1706