Body Mass Index, Self-Esteem, and Suicide Risk in Clinically Depressed African American and White American Females

The goal of this study was to determine whether clinically depressed, healthy-weight, overweight, & obese females would differ significantly on self-esteem & suicide risk measures. 165 clinically depressed females completed the self-esteem rating scale and the suicide risk scale. Depressed, obese White American females had significantly lower self-esteem & increased suicide risk than depressed healthy-weight & overweight White American females. Implications of the current results are discussed. (86 refs)