Differences in Risk for Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts Among Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults and the Moderating Role of Social Support

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults are at higher risk for suicidal ideation and attempts than heterosexual, cisgender young adults. Research concerning differences by gender identity in risk for suicidal ideation and attempts is limited. This study examined whether SGM young adults (cisgender sexual minority, genderqueer, and transgender) differed in risk for suicidal ideation and attempts and whether social support (family, heterosexual friends, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] friends, and LGBT community) moderated this association. Participants were recruited online and offline via LGBT organizations and partly via suicide prevention websites. In the current study, 1,408 SGM participants (18-29 years) from Flanders (Belgium) and the Netherlands were included. Results of the logistic regression analyses demonstrated that transgender and genderqueer participants had higher odds for suicidal ideation and attempts than cisgender, sexual minority participants. Genderqueer and transgender young adults did not differ in risk. Furthermore, social support from family and heterosexual friends was associated with lower odds of suicidal ideation and attempts among SGM young adults. Results of the interaction effects between gender identity and social support demonstrated that higher levels of support from the LGBT community exacerbated the association between having a genderqueer identity and past-year suicidal ideation. No other interaction effects were significant. The current study underlines the important role of family social support and the importance of examining gender minority and cisgender, sexual minority young adults as separate groups regarding suicidality. Further research should focus on factors to explain disparities among SGM young adults.

Automated summary

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults have a higher risk of suicidal ideation and attempts compared to heterosexual, cisgender young adults. This study found that transgender and genderqueer participants had higher odds for suicidal ideation and attempts than cisgender, sexual minority participants. Social support from family and heterosexual friends was associated with lower odds of suicidal ideation and attempts among SGM young adults.