Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults' Self-Perceived Links Between Their Suicidal Thoughts and Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.

Diana D van Bergen, Eva Dumon, Luis A Parra, Joz Motmans, Lesley C Biedermann, Renske Gilissen, Gwendolyn Portzky
Author Information
  1. Diana D van Bergen: Department of Pedagogics and Education, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. ORCID
  2. Eva Dumon: Unit for Suicide Research, Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention, Ghent University, Ghent, Flanders, Belgium.
  3. Luis A Parra: Department of Systems, Populations, and Leadership, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
  4. Joz Motmans: Transgender Infopunt, Ghent University Hospital, and Centre for Research on Culture and Gender, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
  5. Lesley C Biedermann: Independent Researcher, Berlin, Germany.
  6. Renske Gilissen: 113 Suicide Prevention the Netherlands, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
  7. Gwendolyn Portzky: Unit for Suicide Research, Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention, Ghent University, Ghent, Flanders, Belgium.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether sexual and gender minority (SGM) emerging adults perceived their SGM status was linked to suicidal ideation, and to explore if their responses fell within tenets of the minority stress framework.
METHOD: Open text (survey) responses of Dutch and Flemish SGM emerging adults (  =  187) were thematically analysed using the constant comparative comparison method for qualitative analysis.
RESULTS: We identified 8 themes in our qualitative analysis. Two themes fell within the scope of the minority stress framework that has received little attention: (1) concerns about relationships and family planning and (2) feeling different (internal stressor). Two additional themes emerged largely beyond the scope of existing minority stress framework studies on suicidality: (3) SGM-related questioning; (4) negativity in LGBT communities. Four established minority stress framework themes emerged: (5) gender identity stress; (6) victimization; (7) coming-out stress; (8) psychological difficulties linked to SGM status.
CONCLUSION: Suicide prevention needs to focus on supporting SGM emerging adults who worry about feeling "different", or who have concerns over their romantic and family life, on reducing gender minority stress, as well as on caring for those who are victimized due to their sexual or gender identity.

Keywords

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MeSH Term

Humans
Female
Adult
Male
Gender Identity
Suicidal Ideation
Sexual Behavior
Sexual and Gender Minorities
Emotions

Word Cloud

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