Interpersonal Needs Research Articles

Psychological distress among postural tachycardia syndrome patients in the Fennell Crisis phase

ABSTRACT Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic illness that disrupts the autonomic nervous system and decreases quality of life. The Fennell Phase Inventory is a developmental instrument that divides the experience of chronic illness into four phases: Crisis, Stabilization, Resolution, and Integration. This study applied the Fennell Phase Inventory to POTS patients. Methods: 360 women with a primary diagnosis of POTS completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF scale, Fennell Phase Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-15, Ten Item Personality Inventory, and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. Results: Among these POTS patients, 35.8% were in the Fennell Crisis phase, 14.7% Stabilization, 46.7% Resolution, and 2.8% were in the Integration phase. One-way analyses of variance showed significant differences between the four Fennell groups on Overall Quality of Life, Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Health, Depression, Hopelessness, Thwarted Belongingness, and Perceived Burdensomeness. Post hoc tests revealed that the Crisis group was more distressed than the other three groups on nearly every symptom scale (p < .05), but that the Stabilization, Resolution, and Integration groups were statistically similar to each other. Conclusions: Nearly one-third of participants were in Crisis, a phase characterized by lower quality of life and significant psychological distress. Recognizing and addressing the concerns of POTS patients according to their current chronic illness phase may help decrease the overall trauma experienced by the patient and improve compliance to proposed treatment regimens.

Suicide Ideation Among Male Prisoners: Preliminary Evidence That Psychopathic Traits are Indirectly Linked to Suicide Ideation Through Thwarted Interpersonal Needs.

The relation between psychopathic traits and suicide ideation (SI) is frequently discussed but little research has examined potential mechanisms underlying this association. The interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) proposes two mechanisms in the pathogenesis of suicidal desire: thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). This study cross-sectionally tested TB and PB as possible explanatory links in the relation between psychopathic traits and SI. Archival data from 784 male U.K. prisoners (Mage =37.21, SD=9.97) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Psychopathic traits were indirectly associated with SI through more specific suicide-promoting processes - namely TB and PB. More specifically, results indicated that Egocentricity and Stimulus Seeking were indirectly associated with SI through PB and TB in combination. However, results indicated specific indirect effects of TB in the relations between the Antisocial Behavior, Egocentricity, and Stimulus Seeking facets, and SI, whereas specific indirect effects for PB were only significant in the relations between Egocentricity and Stimulus Seeking facets and SI. Preliminary results are consistent with the ITS and suggest that psychopathic traits may be distal risk markers for SI and provide direction for future research that could inform suicide prevention efforts among male prisoners high in such traits.

EXPLORING SUICIDALITY IN OLDER ADULTS USING THE INTERPERSONAL THEORY OF SUICIDE: INITIAL DATA FROM AN INPATIENT SAMPLE

Introduction The World Health Organization estimates that annual deaths due to suicide have reached nearly 800,000 globally. Data suggests that per attempt, older adults are far more likely to complete suicide compared to younger adults. Risk factors for suicide such as prior suicide attempts, physical and psychiatric illness, stressful or traumatic life events, and social isolation have been identified in older adults. However, there is sparse research which examines the unique biopsychosocial challenges faced by older adults and how these might interact with established risk factors to lead to higher lethality of suicidal behavior. Several prior studies of community-dwelling older adults have identified the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) as a plausible framework for this phenomenon. The IPTS posits that the pathway which bridges the gap between suicidal ideation (SI) and lethal suicidal behavior originates from two constructs which precipitate a desire for suicide - thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB) - combined with the capability for suicide. For older adults who are also diagnosed with personality disorders (PDs) or PD traits, which are well-known to negatively impact psychosocial functioning, this further adds to a “perfect storm” of risk factors likely to lead to completed suicide. This study aims to explore the relationship between these factors and severity of suicidality in an older adult sample on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited all participants from the inpatient Older Adult Unit at McLean Hospital. For all participants, a chart review was conducted to obtain information regarding medical comorbidities, cognitive status, trauma history, and responses to a suicide risk assessment upon admission. Subjects also completed the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), Personality Inventory-DSM 5 (PID-5), PROMIS Social Isolation, World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-12 Item, and Personality Assessment Inventory-Sterssors and Nonsupport Subscale at one timepoint. Primary endpoints were suicidality severity and INQ total score. Results Data collection is ongoing for this study. Data analysis will occur prior to poster presentation and results will be presented. Conclusions Data collection is ongoing. Results from this study may help identify unique risk factors contributing to suicidality in older adults and pertinent targets for intervention. This research was funded by: No funding.

P045 ILLNESS STIGMA, BODY IMAGE DISSATISFACTION, TWARTED BELONGINGNESS, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN YOUTH WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Abstract Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves invasive symptoms and embarrassing treatment side effects (e.g., weight gain/loss). Elevated levels of depressive symptoms are also observed in youth with IBD, and have been linked to perceived illness stigma and feelings of social isolation. One potential variable related to stigma that has received only minimal attention in the pediatric IBD literature is body image dissatisfaction, which is associated with poor social identity development and increased depressive symptoms in healthy youth. Due to the stigmatizing nature of IBD, youth may feel self-conscious about their body image, which contributes to decreased feelings of social belongingness and ultimately depressive symptoms. The current study tested a serial mediation model in which increased youth perceived IBD stigma was hypothesized to have an indirect influence on youth depressive symptoms through the sequential effects of stigma on youth body image dissatisfaction and increased thwarted social belongingness, resulting in a significant illness stigma→ body image dissatisfaction→ thwarted belongingness→ depressive symptom serial mediation path. Methods Youth with IBD (Crohn’s = 36, Ulcerative Colitis = 30, Indeterminate Colitis = 1; Female = 39) between the ages of 10–18 yrs. (M = 14.5; SD = 2.12) were recruited from a pediatric gastroenterology clinic. Time since diagnosis ranged from &amp;lt;1 to 5.74 yrs. (M = 1.58; SD = 1.56). Youth completed measures of IBD stigma (Stigma Scale-Child; SS-C), body image dissatisfaction (Body Image Questionnaire; BIQ), thwarted belongingness (Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-Thwarted Belongingness Subscale; INQ-TB) and depressive symptoms (Children’s Depression Inventory- 2nd Edition; CDI-2). Disease severity was assessed by physician global assessment. Current medications and Body Mass Index (BMI) data were also collected. Results Eighteen percent reported elevated CDI-2 depression scores. Only gender and BMI were correlated with modeled variables. Further, the BMI → CDI-2 association was greater for youth taking prednisone. Primary analyses examining 95% confidence intervals from 5,000 bootstrapped regression resampling draws revealed significant direct effects for SS-C → BIQ, BIQ → INQ-TB, and INQ-TB → CDI-2. Bootstrapped mediation analyses indicated a significant serial indirect path for SS-C → BIQ → INQ-TB → CDI-2 (effect = 0.92, 95% CI = .141 to 2.187), controlling for gender, BMI, and prednisone medication. Conclusions Youth who perceive greater IBD stigma are more likely to experience increased body image dissatisfaction due to their IBD, which may engender feelings of social estrangement, and ultimately elevated depressive symptoms. Both stigma and body image dissatisfaction should be assessed and addressed in a multidisciplinary fashion by medical providers and mental health professionals.

An Investigation of the psychometric properties of the Turkish Versions of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire and Acquired Capability for Suicide-Fearlessness about Death Scale (tur)

An Investigation of the psychometric properties of the Turkish Versions of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire and Acquired Capability for Suicide-Fearlessness about Death Scale (tur)

Perceptions of belongingness and social support attenuate PTSD symptom severity among firefighters: A multistudy investigation.

Firefighters experience high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is imperative to identify malleable factors that protect against the development of PTSD symptoms among this population. We examined whether perceptions of belongingness broadly (Study 1) and social support from supervisors, coworkers, and family/friends specifically (Study 2) are associated with lower PTSD symptom severity among firefighters. Study 1 included 840 U.S. firefighters (91.1% male); participants completed the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire and PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version. Study 2 included 200 U.S. women firefighters exposed to a Criterion A traumatic event; participants completed the Generic Job Stress Questionnaire, Life Events Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5, and PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5. Linear regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for the number of years participants served as firefighters. Greater belongingness broadly (Study 1; b = -0.740, p < .001) as well as social support specifically (Study 2) from supervisors (b = -4.615, p < .001), coworkers (b = -4.465, p = .001), and family/friends (b = -3.206, p = .021) were associated with less severe PTSD symptoms. When all sources of social support were entered into a single model, only support from supervisors was significantly associated with lower overall PTSD symptom severity (b = -4.222, p = .004). Belongingness and social support may protect against the development of PTSD among firefighters. Supervisor social support may be particularly salubrious, suggesting that top-down mental wellness promotion within the fire service may be indicated to protect firefighters against PTSD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Testing Basic Assumptions of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-15 in a Sample of Clinically Depressed and Suicidal Youth.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescence. The mechanisms of adolescent suicidality, however, are not fully understood. Although the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide, as assessed by the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-15 (INQ), may be a promising framework, systematic study of its utility during adolescence is lacking. To this end, we utilized factor analyses and hierarchical regression analyses to test the factor structure, correlates, and predictive validity of the INQ in a sample of clinically depressed and suicidal adolescents (N=120, aged 12-18). The sample was mostly female (81.9%), ethnically diverse (68.2% non-White) and with nearly a third identifying as a sexual minority (31.8%). Contrary to studies including adult samples in which a two-factor solution is identified, results within this sample indicated three factors: perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and perceived isolation. Perceived burdensomeness and the interaction between perceived burdensomeness and perceived isolation predicted suicide ideation above and beyond depression, but thwarted belongingness and perceived isolation did not. Perceived burdensomeness appears to play a role in adolescent suicidality and may be a point of intervention, yet the notable deviation from previous findings and the relative weakness of two of the factors warrant further study.

208 Peer Victimization and Perceived Burdens Among Suicidal Adolescents

To examine perceived burdens and a lack of social connectivity as potential mediators of the relationship between peer victimization and severity of suicide ideation, in a clinical setting of suicidal adolescents. Forty adolescents (33 girls, 31 Hispanic), ages 12-18, recruited from a pediatric emergency department and outpatient clinics in New York City following either suicide ideation (SI) or a suicide attempt (SA). Data were collected between November of 2018 and March of 2019 as part of an ongoing study. In this study, following questionnaires were administered. 1) Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale, which assessed for physical, social, verbal, and property victimization 2) Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, which measured perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belonging 3) Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire Jr., which assessed severity of suicidal thoughts, 4) Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents, which measured depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed via Pearson correlations. Correlational analyses indicated that verbal victimization - but, not other forms of victimization - was significantly associated with suicide ideation (r = .35, p < .05). Property-related (r = .32, p < .05) and physical victimization (r = .41, p < .01) - but, not verbal and social victimization - were significantly associated with perceived burdens. Peer victimization was not significantly associated with a lack of a feeling of belonging. Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with perceived burdens (r = .46, p < .01) and suicide ideation (r = .33, p < .05). Indirect effects were tested using the PROCESS procedure for SPSS. Neither perceived burdens nor a lack of belonging helped to explain the relationship between peer victimization and suicide ideation. This limited set of data suggests a relationship between physical and property-related peer-victimization and perceived burdens, and between verbal victimization and suicidal ideation. Assessments of suicidal adolescents should consider the role of peer victimization - particularly verbal victimization - in conferring a risk of suicidal ideation among youth presenting to clinical care.

Self-Compassion and Suicide Risk in Veterans: When the Going Gets Tough, Do the Tough Benefit More from Self-Compassion?

Veterans are at particular risk for suicide due to psychopathological, emotional, and interpersonal risk factors. However, the presence of individual-level protective factors, such as self-compassion, may reduce risk, becoming more salient at increasing levels of distress and psychopathology, per theory. We examined the relation between self-compassion and suicide risk, and the moderating effects of depression, PTSD symptoms, anger, shame, and thwarted interpersonal needs. Our sample of US veterans (n = 541) in our cross-sectional study were mostly male (69.1%) with an average age of 49.90 (SD = 16.78), who completed online self-report measures: Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, Multidimensional Health Profile-Psychosocial Functioning Screening Tool, PTSD Checklist-Military Version, Differential Emotions Scale-IV, and the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire. The linkage between self-compassion and suicidal behavior in our veteran sample was moderated by distress-evoking risk factors, including depression, anger, shame, and thwarted interpersonal needs, such that, as level of risk severity increases, the inverse association between self-compassion and suicidal behavior is strengthened. Our findings highlight an emergent protective process that may prevent suicide in times of distress. Therapeutically bolstering the ability for self-compassion may provide a proactive coping strategy that can be brought to bear in times of crisis, reducing suicide risk for veterans.

A test of the interpersonal theory of suicide in college students

BackgroundThe interpersonal theory of suicide posits that perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and acquired capability together interact to increase risk for lethal self-injury. Despite the prominence of this theoretical model, few studies have directly tested the three-way interaction central to the theory, with mixed findings reported in studies to date. The objective of this study was to test the theorized three-way interaction in relation to suicidal behaviors in a large sample of college students. MethodsUndergraduate students were recruited from two universities (N = 1,686; ages 18–29; 64.5% female). Participants completed measures of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness (Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-25), fearlessness about death (Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale-Fearlessness About Death), and suicidal behaviors (Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised). ResultsMultiple linear regression was used to test the three-way interaction among burdensomeness, belongingness, and fearlessness about death on suicidal behaviors. Controlling for sex and depressive symptoms, results indicated the presence of a significant three-way interaction. The interaction was probed by dichotomizing burdensomeness at high and low values. There was a significant two-way interaction at high burdensomeness such that low belongingness was only related to suicidal behavior at high levels of fearlessness about death. LimitationsThe study is cross-sectional and uses a composite measure of suicidal behaviors. ConclusionsThis study adds to a small but growing body of research testing the three-way interaction among perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and capability for suicide in relation to suicidal behaviors. Longitudinal studies using measures that distinguish between suicidal ideation and suicide attempt within the ideation-to-action framework are needed.

Perceived Burdensomeness Among Adolescents: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Contexts in Which Perceptions of Burdensomeness Occur

Introduction: This study explored the contexts in which adolescents report perceptions of being a burden on others, via a mixed-methods approach, to inform the development of interventions targeting perceived burdensomeness as a risk factor for suicide ideation.Method: Participants were 41 adolescents, 13–19 years of age (M = 16.95, SD = 1.61), with elevated perceived burdensomeness on the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire. Adolescent were predominantly female (70.7%) and Hispanic (73.2%). Adolescents provided up to three examples of times they experienced perceived burdensomeness. Examples (N = 102) were qualitatively coded to identify common themes, followed by quantitative analyses of demographic factors associated with identified themes.Results: Seven main categories emerged from the qualitative analyses of examples: Drain on Resources, Perceptions of Failure and Brokenness, Relationship Conflict/Withdrawal, Misbehavior, Emotional Distress, Academic Problems, and Lack of Belongingness. Adolescent boys reported a greater proportion of burdensomeness attributions related to Misbehavior and a lower proportion related to Emotional Distress, relative to girls.Discussion: Major themes aligned with theorized components of perceived burdensomeness. Adolescent examples focused predominantly on normative experiences, supporting the notion that perceived burdensomeness may represent a distorted cognition. The results may inform the development of interventions targeting perceived burdensomeness.

Pilot Data on Effects of Community Dance for Veterans with PTSD and their Family Members

Prior research has shown that there are several symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that are persistently hard to treat and critically important for full recovery. Community reintegration can be an especially challenging aspect of returning home from combat duty. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of a community dance program on some of these psychological symptoms. Community dance has been shown to strengthen cognitive plasticity which is often a problem for veterans with PTSD. This program also includes predictable gentle touch and family involvement, two elements that can predict stress reduction and successful community reintegration in those with PTSD. Before and after each ten-week community dance program, seventeen veterans and accompanying family members were measured on connectedness using the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, Revised (INQ-R) (Van Orden, Witte, Gordon, Bender, & Joiner, 2008), experience avoidance using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Version 2 (AAQ-II) (Bond, et al., 2011), and hope and optimism using a modified Life Orientation Test, Revised questionnaire (LOT-r ) Scheier, Carver, & Bridges, 1994), combined into a wellness score. Each ten-week program consisted of weekly, 90-minute community dances with live music and a nationally recognized dance caller. We found improvements in wellness scores for all participants, regardless of PTSD status, partial h2 =0.52. We think this program, and programs like it, show great promise in treating some of the most persistent symptoms of PTSD in veterans and in their families.

Effects of the Life-Love Program on depression, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation

BackgroundElderly suicide is a significant issue worldwide. While many suicide-prevention programs for older adults have been implemented, these programs may not be feasible or beneficial in rural areas. Thus, the effects of appropriate interventions for rural elderly people must be assessed. AimThis study aimed to examine the effects of the Life-Love community-centered suicide-prevention program on depression, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation in rural Korean elderly people. MethodsA non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 32 rural older adults (experimental group n = 16 and control group n = 16). The experimental group received the Life-Love Program once a week for seven months. The effects of the study program were measured by means of the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDSSF-Korean version), the “burdensomeness” domain of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-Revised (INQ-R-Korean version) and the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI-Korean version) at the baseline visit and seven months later. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent t-tests, and ANCOVA with SPSS WIN 22.0. FindingsThe experimental group showed a significant decrease in perceived burdensomeness (F = 12.21, p = .002) and suicidal ideation (F = 5.49, p = .026) compared to the control group. DiscussionThis study evaluated the effects of the Life-Love Program on reducing depression, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation in rural elderly participants. In addition, the limitation of the study and future study were discussed. ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that the Life-Love Program can be used as an effective intervention to reduce burdensomeness and suicidal ideation in older adults.

Frustrated Interpersonal Needs and Life Satisfaction in the Elderly Living Alone

Frustrated Interpersonal Needs and Life Satisfaction in the Elderly Living Alone

Supplemental Material for Perceived Coach Interpersonal Style and Basic Psychological Needs as Antecedents of Athlete-Perceived Coaching Competency and Satisfaction With the Coach: A Multi-Level Analysis

Supplemental Material for Perceived Coach Interpersonal Style and Basic Psychological Needs as Antecedents of Athlete-Perceived Coaching Competency and Satisfaction With the Coach: A Multi-Level Analysis

Thwarted Interpersonal Needs and Suicide Ideation Distress Among Psychiatric Inpatients: The Moderating Role of Criminal Associates.

Psychiatric inpatients are at elevated risk of suicide, and approximately half are criminal justice-involved. Their involvement with criminal associates may be linked to increased suicide ideation distress; however, this has not been examined. This study tested main effects of, and interactions between, thwarted belongingness (TB) or perceived burdensomeness (PB), time spent with associates, and associates' criminal involvement predicting suicide ideation distress. In our study, psychiatric inpatients (n = 139) completed assessments cross-sectionally. Results indicated that TB, PB, and associates' criminal involvement were significantly related to greater suicide ideation distress. A significant three-way interaction indicated participants who endorsed high TB, spent more time with associates, and had associates high in criminal involvement had the greatest probability of "Extreme" suicide ideation distress. These findings suggest that spending time with criminal associates may increase suicide ideation distress more than not having social interactions. Implications and limitations of this study are discussed.

The Development and Validation of the Thwarted Belongingness Scale (TBS) for Interpersonal Suicide Risk

Thwarted belongingness (TB) has been identified as a risk factor for the development of suicide ideation. However, measures for assessing this construct are currently limited. The present study aimed to develop and validate a new self-report measure for thwarted belongingness (TBS) against the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire Thwarted Belongingness sub-scale (INQ TB; Van Orden et al. 2012), and provide a comparative test of the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS; Joiner 2005). A 42-item pool underwent refinement via three consecutive stages: (1) expert feedback, (2) item selection study using a sample of community-dwelling Australian adults (Study 1, N = 284), and (3) validation study and test of IPTS predictions in a larger sample of community-dwelling Australian adults (Study 2, N = 747). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the uni-dimensionality of the TBS. Item response theory analysis indicated that the TBS captured more information over a slightly narrower range than the INQ TB. Preliminary support was provided for the IPTS ideation prediction when using the TBS and INQ TB. The TBS may provide enhanced identification of TB in individuals who display moderate to high levels of this interpersonal risk factor. However, further development of additional interpersonal measures is needed to ascertain the role of TB in relation to interpersonal suicide risk and how to best approach its conceptualisation and measurement.

The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire: Statistical Considerations for Improved Clinical Application.

The interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) has accumulated empirical support; however, less research has investigated the clinical utility of ITS constructs in suicide risk assessment. The current study sought to increase the clinical utility of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), an assessment of thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB), among 318 adult psychiatric outpatients while considering statistical methodology (i.e., multicollinearity and partialling). Results emphasized PB in the prediction of concurrent desire for death/suicide when TB was simultaneously considered. The interaction between TB and PB did not enhance prediction of concurrent desire for death/suicide. Independently, PB was a stronger predictor than TB of concurrent desire for death/suicide in the total sample and gender subsamples. Estimated probabilities of concurrent desire for death/suicide across INQ scores and preliminary INQ clinical cutoff scores are provided to enhance clinical application. These findings suggest the INQ could provide valuable information for suicide risk assessment and conceptualization.

Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness in Korean college students: Psychometric properties and cultural considerations for the interpersonal needs Questionnaire-10

The present study aimed to validate a Korean version of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire in a college student sample. Three hundred and one students completed the scale and other measures of suicidal ideation, loneliness, interpersonal support, responsibility to family, meaning in life, fearlessness about death, anxiety and depression. Results revealed that the scale has two-factor structure (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) and it also has good internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity. Cultural comparisons showed that the levels of thwarted belongingness in Korean college students were higher than those in the U.S. college students.

Eating Disorder Symptoms and Proneness in Gay Men, Lesbian Women, and Transgender and Non-conforming Adults: Comparative Levels and a Proposed Mediational Model.

In this study we sought to compare eating disorder attitudes and behaviors, and proneness to an eating disorder (“ED proneness”), between gay men, lesbian women, and transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) adults. A further aim was to identify and compare risk and protective factors, and examine a mediational model based on the interpersonal theory of eating disorders (IPT-ED), whereby the association between interpersonal factors and ED proneness would be mediated by psychological constructs pertaining to the self and negative affect. Data was obtained from a larger national study of health risk and protective factors among sexual minority and gender diverse populations. The sample included 97 gay men, 82 lesbian women, and 138 TGNC adults. Participants completed the National College Health Assessment, Eating Disorders Screen for Primary Care, Patient Health Questionnaire Depression scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 scale, Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, Negative Social Exchange subscale of the Multidimensional Health Profile, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, and Perceived Stigma Scale. There was a significant difference between groups in ED proneness, with lesbian women (66.7%) having a significantly higher percentage than gay men (47.6%). There was also a significant difference between groups in weight-based self-worth, with the lowest percentage in gay men (63%) and the highest percentage in lesbian women (82%), as well as dissatisfaction with eating patterns, with the highest percentage in TGNC adults (69.8%) and the lowest percentage in gay men (47.7%). There was a low percentage of inappropriate compensatory behaviors, with no significant difference between groups. Logistic regression analyses showed that the predictor variables of ED proneness were depression, perceived stigma, and self-compassion in gay men; depression in lesbian women; and self-compassion in the TGNC adults. Mediation analyses showed that thwarted belongingness (i.e., an unmet to belong) and perceived stigma had an indirect association with ED proneness that was mediated by self-compassion and depression (for perceived stigma alone) in gay men, depression in lesbian women, and self-compassion in TGNC adults. The interpersonal theory of eating disorders therefore extends to sexual minority and gender diverse populations; however, the results suggest a broadening of theoretical models and intervention programs to include the role of stigma and self-compassion.