Citation

Woodward EN, Gray TW, Wingate L, Pantalone DW. Psychol. Sex. Orientat. Gend. Divers. 2014; 1(3): 234-243.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/sgd0000046

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Research suggests that sexual minority individuals are at significantly higher risk of considering suicide than their heterosexual peers. Little data exist on the reasons for this disparity. We aimed to assess whether 2 interpersonal constructs--thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness--were associated with higher levels of suicidal ideation (SI) in a sexual minority sample. Participants, recruited online from U.S. LGBQ support groups, completed a 1-time anonymous online survey. In this sample (N 210, Mage 36.11, SD 13.9), 52.9% of participants identified as women, 47.1% as men, 77.6% as White, 7.1% as African American or Black, and 7.6% as Hispanic or Latino. Most participants identified as gay or lesbian (77.1%), with 22.9% identifying as bisexual. Measures assessed current SI, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness. Approximately 21% of participants endorsed current SI. Perceived burdensomeness (Wald 12.108, odds ratio [OR] 3.456, 95% CI [1.719, 6.950]) was a significant predictor of SI, although thwarted belongingness was not (p.494), even after controlling for demographic factors. Perceived burdensomeness was also a significant predictor of SI within subgroups of gay men (OR 3.462, 95% CI [1.215, 9.863]), lesbian women (OR 6.948, 95% CI [1.164, 41.46]), and bisexual women (OR 5.785, 95% CI [1.199, 27.915]).

RESULTS provided support for perceived burdensomeness as a predictor of SI for sexual minority individuals, but requires replication. Perceived burdensomeness and SI should be addressed during medical or mental health visits for sexual minority individuals. © 2014 American Psychological Association

Language: en

Keywords

Suicide; Suicidal ideation; Belongingness; Burdensomeness; Interpersonal; SI