Meaning in life moderates hopelessness, suicide ideation, and borderline psychopathology in participants with eating disorders: A longitudinal study

Participants with eating disorders (EDs) experience identity problems, hopelessness, and suicide ideation. Research has confirmed the link between the experience of low meaning in life (MIL) and psychopathology. However, there is a lack of research focusing on MIL in ED. Objectives The objectives of this study are as follows: (a) to analyze whether MIL at baseline moderates the association between ED psychopathology at baseline and borderline symptoms, hopelessness, and suicide ideation at follow-up and (b) to analyze whether MIL moderates the association between suicide ideation, hopelessness, and borderline symptoms at baseline and at the 7-month follow-up. Method The sample was composed of 300 participants with ED at baseline and 122 at the 7-month follow-up. The participants filled out the Purpose in Life, Eating Attitude Test, Borderline Symptoms List, Hopelessness Scale, and Suicide Ideation Scale. Results (a) MIL at baseline moderated the association between ED psychopathology at baseline and borderline symptoms, hopelessness, and suicide ideation at the follow-up; (b) MIL moderated the association between suicide ideation, hopelessness, and borderline symptoms at baseline and at the 7-month follow-up. Conclusion MIL could be a relevant variable in the ED psychopathology.