“Without this, I would for sure already be dead”: A qualitative inquiry regarding suicide protective factors among trans adults.

Abstract

Despite an alarmingly high rate of attempted suicide among trans adults, few studies have investigated suicide protective factors among this population. The current study was aimed at identifying suicide protective factors among trans adults using a qualitative methodology. A sample of self-identified trans adults (N ϭ 133) was recruited from LGBT LISTSERVs across Canada. Participant were predominantly White and ranged in age from 18 to 75 years old (M ϭ 37). Qualitative data were collected online via open-ended questions and analyzed using thematic network analysis. A hybrid inductive-deductive coding framework was created by combining published suicide protective factors and participants' responses. Five organizing themes were identified, namely social support, gender identity-related factors, transition-related factors, individual difference factors, and reasons for living. Results provide important insights for suicide prevention workers and mental/medical health professionals who work to promote the health and well-being of trans clients and their families. Clinical implications are discussed, such as the importance of aiding trans clients who seek transition-related care to gain access to care in a timely manner.

The minority strengths model: Development and initial path analytic validation in racially/ethnically diverse LGBTQ individuals

“…It is important to note that not all identified strength-based factors will achieve the same salubrious effects or operate for all individuals or groups in the same way. Some strength-based factors can act as negative predictors among certain groups and circumstances (e.g., social support; Mereish & Poteat, 2015;Moody, Fuks, Peláez & Smith, 2015). For example, higher levels of community consciousness have been shown to exacerbate the degree to which mental health mediates the relationship between discrimination and body image issues in sexual minority men (Simpson, Sutter, & Perrin, 2016).…”

Unfinished Business: Disentangling Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Sociological Research on Gender Stratification

“…Research over the last decade reveals an increasing trend toward distinguishing sex and gender with respect to health disparities. This work establishes a clear disadvantage among trans people regarding mental health outcomes, such as suicide (Clements‐Nolle, Marx, & Katz, ; Moody, Fuks, Peláez, & Smith, ), non‐lethal self‐harm (Reisner et al, ), and depression and anxiety (Budge, Adelson, & Howard, ). Explanations for these disparities include societal stigma (Hughto, Reisner, & Pachankis, ; Lombardi, ; Yang, Manning, van den Berg, & Operario, ), discrimination in healthcare settings (Bradford, Reisner, Honnold, & Xavier, ; Poteat, German, & Kerrigan, ; Reisner, Gamarel, Dunham, Hopwood, & Hwahng, ), low levels of familial support (Grossman & D'Augelli, ; Moody & Smith, ; Olson, Durwood, DeMeules, & McLaughlin, ), and histories of violence (Bradford et al, ; Kenagy, ; Stotzer, ).…”

Suicide Risk Among Transgender People: A Prevalent Problem in Critical Need of Empirical and Theoretical Research

“…In addition, expectations of negative reactions toward their gender identity and internalized transphobia are associated with higher suicide ideation (Testa et al 2017). Individual factors that are potentially protective against suicide ideation include perceived coping abilities, optimism, gender identity acceptance and disclosure, and reasons for living (Moody and Smith 2013;Moody et al 2015;Testa et al 2017). Interestingly, Moody et al (2015) found that transgender people with intentions to or who actually transition reported less suicide ideation, which contrasts aforementioned findings by Rood et al (2015).…”