Autoaggressive characteristics of boys and girls that experience different experiences of own body shame

Feeling shame of one's own body is a complex of negatively colored experiences in relation to the external image, which in some cases forms a complex of anti-body attitudes, which with a high degree of probability can be associated with auto-aggressive behavior. The aim of the study was to search for statistically significant differences in the auto-aggressive profile of young people of both sexes who experience and do not experience a distinct sense of shame of their own body. Tasks: to test the hypothesis of a connection between body shame and a tendency to auto-aggressive behavior; to give a detailed suicidological description of girls and boys who are ashamed of their bodies, to assess possible gender-based differences; propose new indicative points for identifying an increased risk of auto-aggressive behavior. Materials and Methods: The study involved 961 subjects: 733 girls and 228 boys, divided into four subgroups. Subjects: girls/boys who had experience of subjectively significant body shame that was relevant at the time of the survey (FBSh and MBSh, respectively), and controls: girls/boys who did not have an experience of body shame that was relevant at the time of the survey (FnBSh and MnBSh, respectively). The number of respondents in the formed subgroups was: FBSh - 383, FnBSh - 350, MBSh - 92, MnBSh - 136 people. The criterion for inclusion in the study groups was the presence of distinct, subjectively significant, feelings of shame of one's own body at the time of the conversation. We used: a questionnaire to identify auto-aggressive patterns and their predictors in the past and present. Mathematical data processing was carried out using the SPSS program. Results and discussion: a history of suicidal attempts was observed in the CTD group more than two times more often than in the control group (5.74% and 1.43%, respectively), thoughts with contemplation of a way to die - three times more often (35.24% and 12.85% respectively). In the MBSh group, differences were found only in relation to the presence of suicidal thoughts in the anamnesis (30.43% and 10.29%). For a number of studied predictors of auto-aggressive behavior, representatives of the FBSh subgroup have a value two or more times higher than those in the control group of FnBSh. Separately, we note the frequency of hopelessness, as one of the most important pro-suicidal predictors (49.34% and 24.86%, respectively). With respect to most indicators, the men's and women's groups are almost the same, thus making the men's group very similar. Conclusions: girls and boys who have feelings of shame about their own bodies represent, from the point of view of suicidology, a very remarkable section of the population that requires close attention. The presence of body shame can and should be used as an indicator and prognostic sign of increased autoaggressive risk. Currently, a fairly large number of specialists in the field of cosmetology and aesthetic medicine work with people who have concerns about their own appearance, including those who are ashamed of their bodies, however, not all of them understand what, behind these "innocent complexes" can hiding a noticeable auto-aggressive potential. This fact makes it necessary to broadcast the " suicidological minimum" in this professional community, and to develop contacts with the psychiatric service.