LGBT people and suicidality in youth: A qualitative study of perceptions of risk and protective circumstances

Abstract

Evidence suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people are more likely to attempt to take their own lives in their youth when compared to heterosexual and/or cisgender people. This study draws on in-depth interviews with 17 LGBT individuals living in England, and explores the narratives used by participants to better understand their perceptions of risk and protective circumstances to explain suicide attempts in youth. Using a Goffman-informed thematic analysis, results identified three key themes that were linked to attempts to end life in youth. The first theme considers the conflicts resulting from first disclosure of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/trans status and being 'out' to others. The second theme explores participants' accounts of their concurrent mental health issues and how diagnoses of the mental health issues helped them make sense of their own experiences of attempted suicide. The final theme explores the experience of grieving over lost relationships and how that grief is received by others, including health professionals. Our results indicate that some LGBT individuals have effectively, although often arduously, navigated suicidal crises by utilising various approaches to coping. We provide a rich and layered picture of LGBT suicide risk in youth and potential resilience scenarios, although these are a reflection of our specific group of participants' experiences and realities. We argue that it is important to understand how LGBT individuals with a history of suicide attempts narrate and make sense of their experiences in early life and we suggest that the early negative experiences continue to have an effect on LGBT adults today.

Civil Society Organisations and LGBT+ Rights in Bangladesh: A Critical Analysis

“…As this study is concerned with the UPR, it follows the UN approach which centres on LGBT + issues-here defined as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual plus (the 'plus' is inclusive of other groups, such as asexual, intersex, queer and questioning). This aligns with a burgeoning academic literature that uses LGBT + as its frame of enquiry (see, e.g., Mikulak, 2018;Rivers et al, 2018). However, in doing so, we also acknowledge the commonalities and differences between LGB and 'Trans' issues (see, e.g., Cochran & Mays, 2017).…”

Are Developmental Assets Protective Against Suicidal Behavior? Differential Associations by Sexual Orientation

“…Given the sexual orientation disparities that existed in this sample in planning and decision-making skills, it is critical that future research examine how to foster this internal asset among LGB and mostly heterosexual youth. This is particularly necessary given that many of the stressors linked with suicidal behavior that LGB youth experience are beyond their control (e.g., discrimination; Rivers, Gonzalez, Nodin, Peel, & Tyler, 2018).…”

Prevalence and Psychosocial Predictors of Homophobic Victimization among Adolescents

“…The triangulation of self-reports and hetero-reports will allow us to have further data to delve into the interpretation of homophobic victimization as an interpersonal phenomenon. Additionally, in future studies about homophobic victimization, we aim to include other variables regarding the disclosure—or not—of their sexual orientation, since the scientific literature shows different reflections on their benefits or prejudices regarding social support [15,17,18]. This knowledge could be worthy to help victims and to move forward in the prevention of this harmful violent phenomenon among peers.…”

“…The research carried out by Rivers [16] revealed that—(a) very few victims of homophobic aggressions ask for help to their teachers and only one in six admitted the discriminatory nature of the aggressions; and (b) one in four victims felt harassed by some teacher due to his/her sexual orientation. Nearly two decades after, a study had again showed that male and female adolescents reported the rejection that they suffered within their environment because they had revealed their sexual orientation [17]. In this way, victims of homophobic aggressions find themselves in a paradoxical situation.…”