PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Eating disorders (EDs) are severe mental illnesses with the highest mortality rate of any
psychiatric disorder, in part due to the high rates of suicide found within the EDs. Despite the
documented relations between suicidal ideation (i.e., thinking about, planning, or considering
suicide)7 and behaviors (i.e., potentially injurious behavior with an intent to die)7 and EDs, there
has been little research examining how suicidality relates to ED symptoms. Further, there have
been no examinations, to date, of how SIB impact the process of ED remission. New statistical
approaches that incorporate state-based measurement of momentary symptoms are necessary
in understanding the dynamic relations between suicidality and ED symptoms across time.
Further, we need a way to develop personalized models of such dynamic relations to capture
the individual differences and high levels of heterogeneity found across the EDs. The specific
aims are of the proposed project are: (1) examine whether suicidality moderate networks of ED
symptoms (i.e., the way in which ED symptoms interrelate), (2) use personalized networks to
examine how central symptoms vary at the individual level for ED participants high in suicidality,
and (3) determine whether central symptoms of those with elevated eating disorders and
suicidality are predictive of ED outcomes and remission. This project will be an important initial
step towards better understanding the relations between eating disorders, suicidality, and
outcomes in eating disorders. Importantly, the career development and mentorship plan outlined
in this diversity supplement application will promote Ms. Hunt's success as a minority
researcher and contribute to the initiative of building a scientific workforce.
