Suicide ideation among Southern U.S. Sexual minority college students

Abstract

Sexual minority individuals are at higher risk for suicide ideation compared with heterosexual individuals. We tested whether the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide explains increased suicide ideation among sexual minority college students living in the southeastern region of the United States. The cross-sectional study assessed correlates of suicide ideation in a convenience sample (n = 82) of sexual minority college students. Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness correlated with suicide ideation. However, only perceived burdensomeness correlated with suicide ideation while controlling for depressive symptoms. Pending replication, perceived burdensomeness may be a target for suicide prevention and intervention among sexual minority college students.

A longitudinal examination of the interpersonal theory of suicide for predicting suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth who utilize crisis services: The moderating effect of gender

“…This suggests that perceived burdensomeness is a stronger risk factor for suicidal ideation than thwarted belongingness, at least among LGBTQ+ youth who utilized crisis services. These findings are generally consistent with previous cross-sectional studies of LGBTQ+ individuals, with some observing that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness were both associated with greater suicidal ideation (Grossman et al, 2016;Pate & Anestis, 2019;Plöderl & Fartacek, 2005;Ploderl et al, 2014;Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2020) and others observing that only perceived burdensomeness was associated with greater suicidal ideation (Baams et al, 2015(Baams et al, , 2018Woodward et al, 2014). Because of floor effects in perceived burdensomeness, it is possible that associations that involved perceived burdensomeness were attenuated.…”

“…Furthermore, the studies that have examined the IPTS among LGBTQ+ individuals have largely relied on cross-sectional data and focused on adults. Several studies have found that sexual minority adults report greater perceived burdensomeness than heterosexual adults (Hill & Pettit, 2012;Pate & Anestis, 2019;Woodward et al, 2014), and that both perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are associated with greater suicidal ideation among sexual minority adults (Hill & Pettit, 2012;Pate & Anestis, 2019;Plöderl & Fartacek, 2005;Ploderl et al, 2014;Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2020), as well as transgender and gender nonconforming youth and young adults (Grossman et al, 2016). However, some studies have found that only perceived burdensomeness is associated with greater suicidal ideation among sexual minority youth and adults (Baams et al, 2015(Baams et al, , 2018Woodward et al, 2014).…”

Religious sexual minorities, belongingness, and suicide risk: Does it matter where belongingness comes from?

“…Given SMs’ risk for discrimination, rejection, violence, and stigma (i.e., minority stress), SMs may be more likely to experience feelings of social disconnection (Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2018; Woodward et al, 2014). A sense of belongingness (feelings of emotional connection to and feelings of safety around others in a community; Yuval-Davis, 2006) may be difficult to achieve for SMs who participate in nonaffirming religions (Dahl & Galliher, 2012).…”

“…SMs face unique stressors due to their minority status (Meyer, 2003). One of the most insidious SM stressors, HI, is potently related to both social alienation and SI (Gibbs, 2015; Meyer, 2003; Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2018). IH is experienced when SMs internalize negative messages regarding same-sex sexuality, leading to devaluation of the self (Gibbs, 2015).…”

“…Concealing an SM identity is also associated with increased psychological distress and SI (Meyer, 2003). Sexual orientation-based victimization and violence relate to elevated suicide risk among SMs (Wolford-Clevenger et al, 2018); to cope with this, many SMs opt to conceal their sexual orientation from others (Livingston et al, 2015). SMs’ concealment efforts may paradoxically act as protective factors for a time, as more visible SMs have a higher likelihood of being victims of violence and discrimination due to their minority status (Meyer, 2003).…”