Diversity Supplement for 'Personalized Networks and Sensor Technology Algorithms of Eating Disorder Symptoms Predicting Eating Disorder Outcomes'

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.