The Body as a Battleground: A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Violence, Body Shaming, and Self-Harm in Adolescents with a History of Suicide Attempts

Marianne Rizk-Hildbrand (), Tara Semple, Martina Preisig, Isabelle Haeberling, Lukasz Smigielski, Dagmar Pauli, Susanne Walitza, Birgit Kleim and Gregor E. Berger
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Marianne Rizk-Hildbrand: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Tara Semple: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Martina Preisig: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Isabelle Haeberling: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Lukasz Smigielski: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Dagmar Pauli: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Susanne Walitza: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Birgit Kleim: Department of Adult Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
Gregor E. Berger: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 6, 1-29

Abstract: Perceived experiences of violence, trauma, body dissatisfaction, and body shaming emerge as interconnected factors contributing to suicide attempts among adolescents. There is a critical need to improve the understanding and prediction of suicide attempts in this vulnerable population. In this study, a primarily qualitative design was employed, supported by descriptive quantitative elements, such as code frequencies and word clouds, to explore in-depth narrative interviews of adolescents who attempted suicide. Thematic content analysis was utilized to analyze the transcripts of these narrative interviews. The study sample consisted of 22 adolescents (M age = 16.98 years; SD = 1.624; 77% males, 19% females, 4% non-binary or transgender). The content analysis revealed two significant body-related risk factors for suicide attempts: experiences of violence or trauma and body dissatisfaction, which were associated with maladaptive coping strategies, including self-harm, substance use, and eating disorders. Acute somatic warning signs such as dissociative states, loss of control, and disconnection from one’s body suggested pronounced psychophysiological dysregulation. The findings underscore the body as a battleground, where emotional pain related to bodily experiences and perceptions manifests significantly. Future research should integrate subjective body-related experiences in risk assessments and interventions targeting adolescent suicidal behaviors.

Keywords: suicide attempt; narrative interview; qualitative research; body dissatisfaction; body shaming; violence; self-harm; acute risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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