Premium
The Link between Discrimination and Worst Point Suicidal Ideation among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults
Author(s) -
Salentine Cassidy M.,
Hilt Lori M.,
Muehlenkamp Jennifer J.,
Ehlinger Peter P.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/sltb.12571
Subject(s) - suicidal ideation , psychology , clinical psychology , sexual orientation , moderated mediation , minority stress , mediation , stressor , sexual minority , poison control , suicide prevention , medicine , social psychology , political science , law , environmental health
Objective Sexual and gender minority ( SGM ) adults often report a disproportionately high rate of suicidal ideation compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. The current study aimed to understand the relationship between discrimination for one's sexual orientation or gender identity and suicidal ideation. We hypothesized that discrimination would be associated with suicidal ideation at one's worst point through the indirect effects of hopelessness regarding thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Method A sample of 178 SGM adults ( M age = 30.34, range 18–69; 76% white) completed an online questionnaire assessing minority‐specific stressors and suicide‐related thoughts and behaviors. Results A mediation model with bootstrapping indicated that greater discrimination was associated with more frequent suicidal ideation at one's worst point through the indirect effect of hopelessness regarding thwarted belongingness. Conclusions The current study provides evidence that the pathway between discrimination and worst point suicidal ideation may be partially explained by the perception that one will never belong. These findings support the utility of an understudied Interpersonal Theory of Suicide hypothesis for research among SGM adults.