Psychological Distress Following Suicidality Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths: Role of Social Relationships

Abstract

Longitudinal relations between past suicidality and subsequent changes in psychological distress at follow-up were examined among gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths, as were psychosocial factors (e.g., self-esteem, social support, negative social relationships) that might mediate or moderate this relation. Past suicide attempters were found to have higher levels of depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and conduct problems at a later time than youths who neither attempted nor ideated. Psychosocial factors failed to mediate this relation. The interaction among past suicidality, social support, and negative relationships was associated with subsequent changes in all three psychological distress indicators six months later. Specifically, high levels of support (either from family or friends) or negative relationships were found to predict increased psychological distress among those with a history of suicide attempts, but not among youths without a history of suicidality. The findings suggest that GLB youths who attempt suicide continue to have elevated levels of psychological distress long after their attempt and they highlight the importance of social relationships in the youths' psychological distress at follow-up. Keywordsgay; lesbian; bisexual adolescents; suicide attempts; suicidal ideation; psychological distress; conduct problems; self-esteem; social support; negative social relationships; longitudinal research Suicide is a critical public health concern among gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths. These youths live in a society that stigmatizes and condemns homosexuality (e.g., Herek,To whom correspondence should be addressed at Department of Psychology, The City University of New York -The City College and Graduate Center, NAC Building 7-120, Convent Avenue and 138 th Street, New York, NY 10031. mrosario@gc.cuny.edu. Earlier versions of this paper were presented at the biannual meeting of the European Association for Research on Adolescence, Oxford, UK, September 2002; and, at . Thus, it is unsurprising that many GLB youths, given their young age and developmentally limited coping strategies, have considered or attempted suicide in response to the stigmatization (e.g., Bontempo & D'Augelli, 2002;Hershberger & D'Augelli, 1995). Indeed, the prevalence of suicidality is elevated among GLB youths (see below). However, nothing is known about the long-term implications of suicidality among GLB youths. The present report on GLB youths examines the relation of suicidality on subsequent psychological distress at follow-up and further investigates psychosocial factors that mediate or moderate the relation between suicidality and changes in psychological distress. Prevalence of Suicidality Among GLB YouthsStudies employing representative samples have found a significantly higher prevalence of suicide attempts among GLB youths than heterosexual youths: between 21% and 35% within the past year among GLB youths and between 4% and 14% among heterosexual youths (Faulkner & Cranston, 1998;Fergusson et al...

Factors Associated with Parents’ Knowledge of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths’ Sexual Orientation

“…The few longitudinal studies of GLB youths in the literature focus on fluctuations in self-identifications (Diamond, 2005(Diamond, , 2008, changes in problem behaviors (Rotheram-Borus, Rosario, Van Rossen, Reid, & Gillis, 1995), predictors of substance use (Rosario, Schrimshaw, & Hunter, 2004), and emotional and psychological distress following suicide attempts (Rosario, Schrimshaw, & Hunter, 2005;Rosario, Schrimshaw, Hunter, & Gwadz, 2002). To our knowledge, there is no published longitudinal research on changes in parents' awareness of GLB youths' sexual orientation or predictors or correlates of such changes.…”

La santé des adolescentes lesbiennes et bisexuelles : état de la recherche et critique des biais androcentristes et hétérocentristes

“…Aussi est-il de première importance de repérer les sous-groupes parmi les jeunes qui sont à plus grand risque quant au fait de commettre une tentative de suicide (Saewyc et autres 2008c), et donc de ne pas écarter les filles des populations ciblées. Par ailleurs, les répercussions négatives d'une tentative de suicide sur la santé physique et mentale des jeunes invitent à les prendre au sérieux, au même titre que d'autres comportements à risque dont l'issue n'est pas le décès (Rosario, Schrimshaw et Hunter 2005).…”

Narrative Therapy Pathways for Re-authoring with Parents of Adolescents Coming-out as Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual

“…Grasping for ways to cope with such life-compromising circumstances, many sexual minority youth fall into the throes of depression (D'Augelli & Hershberger, 1993;Fikar, 1992;Hershberger & D'Augelli, 1995;Remafedi et al, 1991;Rosario, Schrimshaw & Hunter, 2005;Rotheran-Borus, Hunter, & Rosario 1994;Safren & Heimberg, 1999;Whitbeck, Hoyt, & Bao, 2000). Many turn to drugs, alcohol, and sexual encounters in attempts to escape or remediate their sadness, fears, and loneliness (Kipke, Montgomery, Simon & Unger, 1997;Savin-Williams, 1994;Whitlock, 1989).…”

“…Many turn to drugs, alcohol, and sexual encounters in attempts to escape or remediate their sadness, fears, and loneliness (Kipke, Montgomery, Simon & Unger, 1997;Savin-Williams, 1994;Whitlock, 1989). All of these risk factors are associated with diminished self-esteem and low self-worth, for some youth resulting in both suicidal thoughts as well as attempts at and completed suicides (Fikar, 1992;Kitts, 2005;Morrison & L'Heureux, 2001;Remafedi et al, 1991;Rosario et al, 2005;Rotheran-Borus et al, 1994;Safren & Heimberg, 1999).…”