Mental health and suicidality among racially/ethnically diverse sexual minority youths

Exploring adolescent suicidal trajectories: The intersection of race/ethnicity, gender, and social connectedness

INTRODUCTION

Understanding adolescent racial/ethnic and gender disparities in suicidal ideation and attempts longitudinally can help curb future suicidal risk.

METHODS

Survey data (1994-2008) from the Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health study, n = 18,887) examined racial/ethnic and gender ideation and attempt disparities over four waves of data from across the United States (51% female; 51% White; Mage = 17.43 years at Wave 1). Repeated-measures latent class analyses described how ideation and attempt patterns present longitudinally and how racial/ethnic minority groups predict different classes based on each wave and age-appropriate social supports (i.e., parents, peers).

RESULTS

Those most at-risk disclosed ideation and some attempt risk in early adolescence (Waves 1 and 2) and mostly identified as female. The second most prevalent group first disclosed ideation in their 20s and predominately identified as non-Hispanic White females. Peer connections were not significant for most groups except for non-Hispanic White males in Wave 3, while Black females who reported stronger school connections had decreased ideation and attempt rates in Wave 1 but not 2 (just 1 year later). A negative link between social supports and high-risk ideation and attempt classes was found among Black females, non-Hispanic Whites, and Latinos overall.

CONCLUSIONS

As the United States becomes more diverse, understanding the unique ideation and attempt disparities are crucial. Tailoring interventions to include risk and protective mechanisms among intersectional communities could eradicate disparities. Longitudinal studies can illuminate how protective and risk factors can change over time and even within and among racial/ethnic and gender groups.

The role of romantic relationships for sexual minority young adults' depressive symptoms: Does relationship type matter?

Sexual minority young adults consistently report higher rates of depression than heterosexual young adults. Drawing on the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study examines if types of romantic relationships provide mental health benefits for lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Further, analyses distinguish between same- and different-sex unions to help determine which relationship types offer the most mental health benefits. The results show that marriage is linked to fewer depressive symptoms for gay and lesbian young adults, compared to being unpartnered or in a dating relationship. Further, same-sex unions are associated with fewer depressive symptoms, but not different-sex unions. Yet, bisexual respondents' depressive symptoms are not associated with romantic relationships, regardless of relationship type. The results suggest that it is important to address the stigma surrounding sexual minority status and same-sex relationships to improve the burden of depressive symptoms on sexual minority young adults.

Trends in Suicidality and Bullying among New York City Adolescents across Race and Sexual Identity: 2009-2019

Despite evidence showing rising suicidality among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and Black adolescents, separately, there is scant research on suicide risk trajectories among youth groups across both racial and sexual identities. Thus, we examined trajectories of self-reported suicidal ideation and attempt and their associations with bullying among New York City-based adolescents. We analyzed 2009-2019 NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. We ran weighted descriptive and logistic regression analyses to test for trends in dichotomous suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, bullying at school, and e-bullying variables among students across both race/ethnicity and sexual identity. We assessed associations between suicidality trends and bullying with logistic regressions. Models controlled for age and sex. Suicidal ideation and attempt were 2 and 5 times more likely among LGB than heterosexual participants, respectively. Bullying at school and e-bullying were 2 times more likely among LGB than heterosexual participants. Black LGB participants were the only LGB group for which both suicidal ideation (AOR = 1.04, SE = .003, p < .001) and attempt (AOR = 1.04, SE = .004, p < .001) increased over time. Both increased at accelerating rates. Conversely, White LGB participants were the only LGB group for which both suicidal ideation (AOR = 0.98, SE = .006, p < .001) and attempt (AOR = 0.92, SE = .008, p < .001) decreased over time. These changes occurred in parallel with significant bullying increases for Black and Latina/o/x LGB adolescents and significant bullying decreases for White LGB adolescents. Bullying was positively associated with suicidal ideation and attempt for all adolescents. Findings suggest resources aimed at curbing rising adolescent suicide should be focused on Black LGB youth.

Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms Moderate the Relationship Between Emotion Dysregulation and Suicide Ideation in Adolescents

The relationship between emotion dysregulation and suicide ideation may depend on the level of internalizing and externalizing symptoms. It was expected that both internalizing and externalizing symptoms would moderate the relationship between emotion dysregulation and suicide ideation, such that greater symptoms would strengthen the relationship between emotion dysregulation and suicide ideation. Adolescent participants (n = 559, Mage = 15.40, 85.0% white, 57.2% female) completed self-report measures that assessed emotion dysregulation, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and recent suicide ideation. Both internalizing and externalizing symptoms moderated the relationship between emotion dysregulation and suicide ideation; this relationship strengthened as internalizing and externalizing symptoms increased. The results of this study indicate that internalizing and externalizing symptoms may both affect the connection between emotion dysregulation and suicide ideation. Future research should focus on targeting both internalizing and externalizing symptoms in treatment to help reduce emotion dysregulation and suicide ideation in adolescents.

Effects of sexual and gender minority stress on depressive symptoms among adolescents of color in the United States

OBJECTIVE

There is a need for more research on minority stress theory (MST) with sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents of color, because of their disproportionate risk for depression.

METHOD

We recruited 1,627 SGM adolescents of color in the United States to complete measures assessing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) climate, LGBTQ microaggressions within one's ethnoracial community, internalized LGBTQ stigma, stress management ability, and depressive symptoms. Using structural equation modeling, a hybrid measurement-structural model was tested, indicating good model fit.

RESULTS

Multiple significant indirect pathways linking LGBTQ climate and depressive symptoms emerged. A less positive LGBTQ climate was associated with more microaggression-related stress, more internalized LGBTQ stigma, and worse stress management ability, all of which were associated with greater depressive symptoms. A serial mediation with more microaggression-related stress being associated with greater internalized LGBTQ stigma approached significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings generally support MST processes in terms of depressive symptoms in SGM adolescents of color, suggesting that psychosocial interventions targeting these processes may have meaningful implications for the mental health of this vulnerable group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of "The Quest," A Health and Well-Being Intervention for British-Based Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Gay and Bisexual Men

This article provides an evaluation of a health and well-being workshop-based intervention, "The Quest" for gay and bisexual men from British Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. A quantitative component assessed reported and intended sexual risk, drugs and alcohol use alongside measures of psychological well-being with pre and post-program data collected from 26 men. Fourteen men participated in focus groups that discussed experiences of the intervention. Significant improvements were found on measures of internalized homophobia, self-esteem and self-efficacy but not for health behaviors including safer sex or substance use. Qualitative feedback was generally positive especially around enhanced psychological well-being, identity integration, and enhanced self-awareness. There were some concerns over group size and whether non-BAME gay men were appropriate as facilitators. Theoretically informed, culturally competent interventions can demonstrate significant potential in enhancing the well-being of BAME gay and bisexual men but follow-up data are needed to show longer-term benefits.

Effects of Delivering an Animation-Based Inclusive Sex Education Curriculum for Adolescents in China

Evidence suggests that tailored inclusive sex education can be an effective response to prevent gender-based violence and promote an inclusive educational environment. This study examined the effects of an age-appropriate and animation-based inclusive sex education curriculum among Chinese adolescents. A total of 243 students from one comprehensive vocational high school participated in the study. Attitudes toward homosexuality and relevant knowledge were assessed using Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gays Scale and researcher-made questionnaires at the preintervention and postintervention. Results indicated that adolescents' attitudes and knowledge showed improvement after intervention; female students showed more positive attitudes toward homosexuals; and the animation-based inclusive sex education was welcomed by most participants. Implications of the findings and directions for future research were also discussed.

Ethno-racial variations in mental health symptoms among sexually-active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada: a longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND

Minority stress from racism and heterosexism may uniquely interact to impact the mental health of racialized sexual minorities. We examined variations in anxiety and depressive symptoms by reported by ethno-racial identity among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) in Vancouver, Canada.

METHODS

We recruited gbMSM aged ≥ 16 years from February 2012 to February 2015 using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Participants completed computer assisted self-interviews (CASI) at enrollment and every 6 months until February 2017. We examined factors associated with moderate/severe anxiety and depression scores (> 10) on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and differences in key explanatory variables including sociodemographic, psychosocial, and substance use factors. We used multivariable mixed effects models to assess whether moderate/severe scores were associated with ethno-racial identity across all visits.

RESULTS

After RDS-adjustment, of 774 participants, 79.9% of participants identified as gay. 68.6% identified as white, 9.2% as Asian, 9.8% as Indigenous, 7.3% as Latin American, and 5.1% as other ethno-racial identities. Participants contributed a median of 6 follow-up visits (Q1-Q3: 4-7). In the multivariable analysis, Asian participants had decreased odds of moderate/severe anxiety scores compared to white participants (aOR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18-0.86), and Latin American participants had decreased odds of moderate/severe depression scores compared to both white (aOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08-0.36) and Asian (aOR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.02-0.20) participants.

CONCLUSION

Asian and Latino gbMSM reported decreased mental health symptoms compared to white participants. Asian and Latino gbMSM in Vancouver appear to manage multiple minority stressors without adversely affecting their mental health.

Emotional Distress Disparities Across Multiple Intersecting Social Positions: The Role of Bias-Based Bullying

OBJECTIVES

To apply an intersectional lens to disparities in emotional distress among youth, including multiple social positions and experiences with bias-based bullying.

METHODS

Data are from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (n = 80 456). Social positions (race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender) and 2 forms of bias-based bullying (racist, homophobic or transphobic) were entered into decision tree models for depression, anxiety, self-injury, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Groups with the highest prevalence are described. Rates of emotional distress among youth with matching social positions but no bias-based bullying are described for comparison.

RESULTS

LGBQ identities (90%) and transgender, gender diverse, and questioning identities (54%) were common among the highest-prevalence groups for emotional distress, often concurrently; racial and ethnic identities rarely emerged. Bias-based bullying characterized 82% of the highest-prevalence groups. In comparable groups without bias-based bullying, emotional distress rates were 20% to 60% lower (average 38.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight bias-based bullying as an important point for the intervention and mitigation of mental health disparities, particularly among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-diverse, queer, and questioning adolescents. Results point to the importance of addressing bias-based bullying in schools and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-diverse, queer, and questioning students at the systemic level as a way of preventing emotional distress.

The Intersections Between Sexual Orientation, Latine Ethnicity, Social Determinants of Health, and Lifetime Suicide Attempts in a Sample Being Assessed for Entry to Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment

PURPOSE

Few studies have examined the relationship between the intersections of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) sexual orientation, Latine ethnicity, and lifetime suicide attempts in Latine individuals with substance use disorder. This study examines this intersection and controls for social determinants of health, mental health disorder symptoms, and substance use disorder symptoms in a sample of Latine adults entering treatment for co-occurring disorders.

METHOD

Bivariate statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze assessment data (n = 360) from a bilingual/bicultural integrated behavioral health system serving Latine communities in Massachusetts to examine the relationship between sexual orientation, Latine ethnicity, and history of lifetime suicide attempts. We controlled for social determinants of health, mental health disorders, and substance use disorder (SUD) factors significantly associated with lifetime suicide attempts at the bivariate level.

RESULTS

Over 27% of the sample and 35% of Puerto Ricans (PR) reported lifetime suicide attempts. The logistic regression identified that PR clients were 78% more likely to have attempted suicide in a lifetime compared to non-PR clients. Clients identifying as LGB were 3.2 times more likely to report having attempted suicide in their lifetime compared to heterosexual clients. Unemployed clients were 2.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide in their lifetime compared to employed clients.

CONCLUSION

Findings identify high rates of lifetime suicide attempts among LGBs and PRs entering SUD treatment. Targeted outreach and treatment efforts designed to address intersectionality for this underserved population are needed.

Sexual orientation disparities in the prevalence of suicidal ideation among U.S adults aged 20 to 59 years: Results from NHANES 2005-2016

Existing studies have been limited in providing nationally representative data on the relationship between sexual orientation and suicidal ideation (SI) among adults in the U.S. particularly in terms of gender and racial differences. To fill this research gap, we conducted a study using data from the NHANES conducted between 2005 and 2016. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between sexual orientation and SI risk. Additionally, we performed further analysis by stratifying the data based on demographic variables and performed sensitivity analysis to ensure the reliability of our findings. This study included a weighted sample of 16,564 adults, representing a noninstitutionalized U.S population of 840.1 million. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of SI was found to be 3.5 %. After adjusting for relevant covariates, the study revealed that individuals who identified as something else, homosexual, and bisexual had a higher prevalence risk of suicidal ideation (SI) compared to heterosexual participants. Additionally, the study found that heterosexual participants were 74.4 % less likely to experience SI compared to bisexual individuals. These findings highlight the urgent requirement for inclusive and supportive prevention strategies to effectively address SI among adult sexual minorities in the U.S.

Examining Mental Health and Bullying Concerns at the Intersection of Sexuality, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity Among a National Sample of Sexual and Gender Diverse Youth

Purpose: Most extant scholarship that examines the health experiences of sexual and gender diverse youth (SGDY) is limited in the ability to apply an intersectional framework due to small sample sizes and limitations in analytic methods that only analyze the independent contribution of social identities. To address this gap, this study explored the well-being of youth at the intersection of ethnic, racial, sexual, and gender identities in relation to mental health and bullying. Methods: Data were from a U.S. national survey of SGDY aged 13-18 years, collected in 2022 (N = 12,822). Exhaustive Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection analysis identified intersectional social positions bearing the greatest burden of negative health-related experiences (depression, anxiety, and past 30-day in-person victimization). Results: Transgender boys were among those at the highest prevalence for compromised mental health and peer-based in-person victimization. Although the primary distinguishing factor was transgender identity for depression and anxiety, there were no racial/ethnic distinctions, corroborating some previous scholarship. Asian cisgender and transgender girl SGDY shared the lowest burden of peer-based in-person victimization in school. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a need for scholars, health professionals, and other stakeholders to better understand the mechanisms that drive negative health experiences and in-person victimization experiences at the intersections of sexual, gender, racial, and ethnic identities.

The intersection of race, ethnicity, and gender and the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors

The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across distinct intersections of race/ethnicity and gender among adolescents remains understudied. The current study seeks to address this important gap in suicide scholarship using a statewide representative sample of U.S. Florida middle school and high school adolescents. Data drawn from the 2022 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) (N = 41,764) were analyzed to examine disparities in suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among 26 racial/ethnic and gender subgroups of middle school and high school aged adolescents. Survey-weighted prevalence estimates for both suicidality outcomes were generated, and binary contrasts were used to assess the statistical significance of the differences in the probabilities between members of each subgroup and youth belonging to all other subgroups. Our results indicate that the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and attempts was highly gendered and varied according to racial/ethnic subgroups. Native American girls reported more suicidal thoughts (49.9%) and attempts (16.5%) in the past 12 months than any race/gender group. Other racial/ethnic and gender groups that reported particularly high rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts were West Indian/Caribbean female adolescents (48.8% and 13.4%, respectively), Puerto Rican female adolescents (48.5% and 14.7%, respectively), and Black/non-Hispanic female adolescents (19.9% and 15.6%, respectively). Because certain gender and race/ethnic subgroups are at an increased risk for suicidality, more research is needed to better understand the risk and protective factors to determine which suicide prevention strategies might best serve each group.

Suicidality by Sexual Identity and Correlates Among American Indian and Alaska Native High School Students

PURPOSE

This study aims to determine the prevalence of suicidality among American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) adolescents. Additionally, we measured suicidality, stratified by sex, and its association with sexual identity, sexual violence, and binge drinking.

METHODS

We pooled data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey from 2005 to 2019 to analyze the prevalence of sexual minorities, forced sex, and binge drinking, and their association with suicidality using basic descriptive statistics followed by adjusted odds ratios stratified by sex among AI/AN youth.

RESULTS

19% of AI/AN participants reported having suicidal thoughts and 14% reported having a previous suicide attempt. More than 17% of AI/AN participants identified as sexual minority youth (SMY). Compared to AI/AN heterosexual youth, AI/AN bisexual youth had significantly higher odds of reporting suicidal thoughts (aOR = 16.01), planning (aOR = 12.4), and previous attempts (aOR = 7.73). This pattern was also significantly demonstrated for AI/AN gay/lesbian youth. 43% of all AI/AN participants reported being forced into sexual intercourse. The presence of binge drinking was associated with higher odds of suicidal thoughts for both females and males compared to those who did not binge drink.

DISCUSSION

At the intersection of multiple marginalization, AI/AN SMY have a high mental health burden, demonstrating the need for culturally informed, community-led, and targeted mental health support focused on SMY AI/AN. Though this study fails to capture the heterogeneity within the AI/AN community, as nuances exist at the tribal level, these results demonstrate work needs to be done to support the health burden that AI/AN youth carry.

Anxiety sensitivity in terms of mental health among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of sexual minority college students

Objective: Limited work has focused on understanding the function of individual difference factors in terms of mental health among sexual minority college students. Anxiety sensitivity is one individual difference factor which has received substantial empirical attention, but its role is presently understudied among racially/ethnically diverse sexual minority college students.Participants: Participants included a racially and ethnically diverse sample of sexual minority college students (N = 217; Mage = 20.82 years; SD = 3.06).Methods: The present investigation evaluated the role of anxiety sensitivity in relation to anxious arousal, social anxiety, depression, and suicidality.Results: Results indicated that anxiety sensitivity was significantly related to increased anxious arousal, social anxiety, depression, and suicidality after adjusting for age, sex, relationship status, subjective social status, and neuroticism.Conclusions: This investigation provides the first empirical evidence that anxiety sensitivity is related to poorer mental health outcomes for racially/ethnically diverse sexual minority college students.

Gender identity and expression in relation to depression and anxiety in racial and ethnic minority youth: Evaluations of intersectionality in a population-based study

INTRODUCTION

Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth experience higher rates of depression and anxiety. Risk for these outcomes in racial and ethnic minority populations remains unclear. This study aimed to examine disparities in depression and anxiety at the intersection of race and ethnicity and TGNC status in a population-based sample.

METHODS

Data were from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey. Students (n = 119,648) completed questions about their race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, depression, and anxiety.

RESULTS

Within racial and ethnic groups, TGNC youth generally had greater risk for depression and anxiety. Significant associations for gender minority identity ranged from ORDepression = 2.25 for Black youth who do not identify as male to ORDepression = 5.08 for non-minority ethnicity youth who do not identify as female. For perceived gender expression in cisgender youth, significant associations ranged from ORDepression = 1.17 for Black youth assigned female at birth and ORAnxiety = 1.17 for other-minority ethnicity youth assigned female at birth to ORDepression = 1.46 for non-minority ethnicity youth assigned female at birth and ORAnxiety = 1.46 for American Indian/Alaskan Native youth assigned male at birth. Within-TGNC-youth comparisons yielded a few racial/ethnic differences relative to White peers. Significant differences ranged from ORAnxiety = 0.53 to ORAnxiety = 1.41 for cisgender females.

LIMITATIONS

The cross-sectional data limits our ability to test causation.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple-minority youth were not universally at increased risk for depression and anxiety, indicating an intersectional framework is important for understanding risk for these outcomes in TGNC youth. Future research identifying potential risk and protective factors is needed to advance screening and treatment strategies for multiple-minority TGNC youth populations.

A Critical Scoping Review of Mental Health and Wellbeing Research with Multiracial Subsamples 2012-2022

This critical scoping review examined a decade of mental health and wellbeing outcome research inclusive of subsamples of multiracial participants (or persons identifying with two or more different racial groups) in order to draw initial conclusions about the contemporary state of multiracial mental health. Mental health disparities research inclusive of multiracial subsamples appears to be trending upward. Studies that used subsample analyses offer initial evidence that multiracial persons are at greater risk to experience worsened mental health in comparison to white monoracial peers, and that this disparity is compounded for multiracial persons from gender and/or sexual minoritized groups. This review uncovered numerous theoretical and methodological inconsistencies that constrained existing research from advancing more meaningful understandings of how white supremacy and systemic mono/racism differently impact the mental health and wellbeing of multiracial persons in the USA. Implications for future mental health disparities research inclusive of multiracial subsamples are presented.

Latent class analysis of substance use typologies associated with mental and sexual health outcomes among sexual and gender minority youth

Little is known about sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) who have sex with men's unique patterns of substance use, even though they are at risk for substance use and adverse mental and other health outcomes. We used latent class analysis to examine typologies of substance use and multinomial logistic regression to investigate mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety) and HIV/STI testing correlates associated with different classes of substance use in a sample of SGMY who have sex with men in the USA and use substances (n = 414) who participated in an online survey. The average age was 22.50 years old (SD = 3.22). A four-class solution was identified representing: 'depressant and stimulant use' (3.4%), 'high polysubstance use' (4.6%), 'low substance use with moderate cannabis use' (79.2%), and 'high cannabis, stimulant and alcohol use' (12.8%). Membership to a specified substance use class varied by age, previous arrest, gender identity, anxiety, and lifetime HIV testing. Multivariate logistic regression results indicated that participants in the high polysubstance use (AOR = 5.48, 95% CI 1.51, 19.97) and high cannabis use class (AOR = 3.87, 95% CI 1.25, 11.94) were significantly more likely than those in the low substance use with moderate cannabis use class to report previous arrest. Those in the high polysubstance use class were also significantly less likely to have been tested for HIV than those in the low substance use with moderate cannabis use class (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.05, 0.93). Findings will guide the development and implementation of tailored approaches to addressing the intersection of substance use and HIV risk among SGMY.

Testing the minority stress model across gender identity, race, and ethnicity among U.S. gender minority adolescents

Gender minority (GM) youth are at heightened risk for psychopathology, purportedly due to their experiences of GM stressors. However, few studies have examined how GM stressors are associated with depression and anxiety among GM youth. Furthermore, no prior studies have investigated how experiences of GM stressors differ across gender identity and race/ethnicity within a diverse sample of GM youth. A nationwide online cross-sectional survey of 1,943 fourteen- to 18-year-old GM adolescents (66.91% White, 11.73% multiracial, 8.49% Latinx, 7.10% Black, 3.09% Asian, 1.49% American Indian/Alaskan Native) in the United States assessed GM stressors (prejudice events, expectations of rejection, internalized transnegativity, and concealment) and mental health. Structural equation modeling was used to examine how GM stressors and depressive and anxiety symptoms differ across gender identity and race/ethnicity. Higher levels of each GM stressor were related to higher depressive symptoms. Prejudice events, expectations of rejection, and concealment were related to higher anxiety symptoms. Transmasculine and transfeminine youth reported higher levels of GM prejudice events and expectations of rejection, and higher mental health symptoms, than nonbinary youth. Findings were relatively consistent across racial/ethnic identities, with the exception that Black GM adolescents reported fewer GM prejudice events and expectations of rejection and indirectly exhibited lower mental health symptoms as compared to White GM youth. Researchers and clinicians should be attuned to how intersectional identities are related to stress and mental health among diverse GM youth. Recommendations for individual and structural-level interventions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A cross-sectional study of the relationship between depression status, health care coverage, and sexual orientation

Health care coverage is an important factor in receipt of behavioral healthcare. This study uses data from the New York City Community Health Survey to examine how sexual minority status impacts the relationship between depression status and having health care coverage. Approximately 10% of the sample (n = 9571; 47% 45+ years old; 35% White Non-Hispanic; 7% sexual minority) reported probable depression and low health care coverage. Compared to heterosexual participants, a greater proportion of sexual minority participants had low health care coverage (17% vs. 9%) and probable depression (19% vs. 9%). Logistic regression examining the association between probable depression status and health care coverage showed that those with probable depression have odds of low health care coverage that are were 3.08 times those who did not have probable depression; this relationship was not modified by sexual orientation. Continued research to understand the interplay of health care coverage, mental health, and sexual orientation is needed.

Measurement Invariance of Psychological Distress, Substance Use, and Adult Social Support across Race/Ethnicity and Sex among Sexual Minority Youth

Research on intersectional differences among sexual minority youth (SMY) relies on population-level datasets to ensure sufficiently large samples to explore between-group differences and assess the influence of axes of oppression/privilege. I argue that a structural equation modeling framework for investigating intersectional differences among SMY increases the nuance with which we understand heterogeneity and provides tools for ensuring that variables measure comparable constructs across diverse populations - an assumption of traditional univariate methods that is rarely empirically verified. Using a subset of SMY that identified as either White or Hispanic/Latino and male or female from the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (N = 3,654), this study tested invariance of three latent constructs: psychological distress, substance use, and adult support across sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, sex, and three-way intersections of those identities. Analyses established invariance across race/ethnicity and sex of all constructs among gay/lesbian youth. Partial invariance models were required to account for intersectional differences in substance use among bisexual youth and in psychological distress among questioning youth. This study models a novel strategy for examining how social location at the intersection of multiple axes of oppression/privilege shape behavioral health and social support and paves the way for significant advances in research on SMY.

Sexual minority youth's mental health and substance use: The roles of victimization, cybervictimization, and non-parental adult support

Victimization is a well-established driver of sexual minority youth's (SMY) mental health and substance use risk. The current study examined and extended this research by exploring how victimization, cybervictimization, and non-parental supportive adults contribute to SMY's vulnerability to poor mental health and substance use. Using data from the first representative sample of Texas youth that measures sexual identity, we analyzed sex-stratified models of the association between sexual identity, mental health, and substance use, and the confounding effects of victimization, cybervictimization, and non-parental adult support. Victimization was more common among SMY and accounted for a greater proportion of sexual identity disparities on mental health and substance use, especially for males. Sexual minority females were more likely to report cybervictimization than heterosexual youth, and cybervictimization was associated with mental health risk. SMY reported fewer available non-parental supportive adults, which was associated with more sadness, suicidality, and polysubstance use. Our study adds to extant evidence that victimization drives SMY's increased susceptibility to mental health and substance use risk. Schools should implement inclusive policies that prohibit bullying based on sexual minority identity and offer professional development opportunities for supporting SMY.

Examining Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Association of Victimization and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors with Alcohol Use Among Sexual Minority Youth

Purpose: Integrating Minority Stress Theory and Bagge and Sher's Theoretical Framework of the Alcohol-Suicide Attempt Relation, this study aimed to test whether experiencing both minority stress and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) had a greater strength of association with Latinx and Black sexual minority youth (SMY)'s alcohol use compared with that of White SMY. Methods: Using data on 2341 non-Latinx Black, Latinx, and non-Latinx White SMY from the 2015 and 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, we tested the prevalence of STBs, victimization, and alcohol use for Black and Latinx participants compared with White participants. Multivariate logistic regression analyses tested the main effects of STBs, victimization, and race/ethnicity on alcohol use. Finally, interaction terms assessed the interaction among STBs, victimization, and race/ethnicity on alcohol use. Results: The results supported our hypothesis, based on Minority Stress Theory, that experiencing victimization would be associated with greater alcohol use. Results also supported Bagge and Sher's theoretical framework showing that suicide plan and attempts were associated with greater alcohol use. When taking all of these stressors into account, results showed that Latinx SMY who experienced victimization had greater current prevalence of alcohol use than their White counterparts. However, Latinx SMY who were victimized and experienced suicidal ideation reported lower alcohol use than White SMY. Conclusion: These findings support the double jeopardy and resiliency hypotheses, which suggest that minority stressors have differing associations for each racial/ethnic SMY group's alcohol use. More research is needed that helps to disentangle the protective and risk factors for alcohol use among Black and Latinx SMY.

Les besoins en santé mentale des personnes migrantes LGBTI : entre orientation généraliste

INTRODUCTION

In France, there are no studies on the mental health of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex (LGBTI) migrants. In North America however, some data show high prevalence for mental issues in this population.

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

This study analyze mental health needs of LGBTI migrants and document the care and support for those needs in two French cities, with a socio-anthropological approach.

RESULTS

LGBTI migrants suffer from numerous mental issues linked with their migration and their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE). Those sources of violence are imbricated and fuel each other. It is mainly as migrants that LGBTI are taken care of by State services devoted to precarious people, even though some LGBTI associations propose a different kind of community support.

CONCLUSIONS

LGBTI migrants deal with the same deficits in mental health services than other migrants, but have also specific difficulties. The development of support group for this minority helps with those difficulties and ultimately questions the strengths and limits of community-based approach to mental health.

The moderating effect of physical activity on the relationship between bullying and mental health among sexual and gender minority youth

BACKGROUND

Sexual and gender minority youth frequently experience bullying, which often contributes to higher depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem. Given that physical activity (PA) can mitigate depressive symptoms and improve self-esteem, we examined the moderating effect of PA on the relationship between bullying and mental health among sexual and gender minority youth.

METHODS

Data from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer National Teen Survey (n = 9890) were analyzed. Hierarchical regression analyses examined the influence of history and frequency of being bullied, PA, and the interaction of these variables on depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Simple slopes analyses were used to probe significant interactions.

RESULTS

Results indicated the importance of accounting for bullying history when examining effects of PA on mental health. PA was negatively related to depression (t = -4.18, p < 0.001) and positively related to self-esteem (t = 12.11, p < 0.001). Bullying frequency was positively related to depression (t = 19.35, p < 0.001) and negatively related to self-esteem (t = -12.46, p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between bullying frequency and PA for depression (t = 4.45, p < 0.001) and self-esteem (t = -4.69, p < 0.001). Post hoc analyses suggested that the positive effects of PA on mental health may be limited to those not bullied because it had a negligible effect on those who were bullied.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that sexual and gender minority youth exercise interventions aiming to improve mental health should first address bullying history; otherwise, their effectiveness may be limited to those who have been bullied.

An examination of theory-based suicidal ideation risk factors in college students with multiple marginalized identities

Social marginalization increases the risk of suicidal ideation (SI) among individuals with diverse identities, yet research examining the effects of marginalization has focused on one identity. Emerging adulthood is a critical period of identity development and the age group with the highest rates of SI. Considering the challenges of living in potentially heterosexist, cissexist, racist, and sizeist environments, we tested whether possessing multiple marginalized identities was associated with severity of SI through factors proposed in the interpersonal-psychological theory (IPT) and the three-step theory (3ST) of suicide and if mediation paths were moderated by sex. A sample of 265 college students completed a cross-sectional online survey assessing SI and constructs related to IPT and 3ST. The number of marginalized identities was generated by adding minoritized sexual orientation, race/ethnicity other than non-Hispanic White, body mass index >25 kg/m2, sexual attraction to same sex but identified as heterosexual, and gender-fluid identity. In IPT multiple mediation analyses, possessing more marginalized identities was associated with SI severity through burdensomeness and hopelessness, but not belonging. Indirect paths through burdensomeness and belonging were moderated by sex. For 3ST, possessing more marginalized identities was associated with SI severity through hopelessness and psychological pain, but not social connection or meaning in life. Future research should consider intersecting social identities and test mechanisms by which multiply marginalized college students develop resilience to SI risk factors, such as support within their marginalized groups, to inform suicide assessment and intervention efforts on college campuses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Trends and Disparities in Suicidality Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority/Two-Spirit Indigenous Adolescents in Canada

PURPOSE

To explore trends in sexual orientation group differences in suicidality among Indigenous adolescents and evaluate whether gaps between heterosexual and sexual minority/Two-Spirit adolescents have changed over time.

METHODS

Leveraging pooled school-based population data from five waves of the British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (1998-2018), we used age-adjusted logistic regression models, separately for boys and girls, to examine 20-year trends and disparities in past year suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among heterosexual and sexual minority/Two-Spirit Indigenous adolescents (N = 13,788).

RESULTS

Suicidal ideation increased among all sexual orientation groups in 2018 compared to previous survey waves. Suicide attempts spiked for heterosexual girls in 2003, remained stable for heterosexual boys, and decreased for sexual minority/Two-Spirit boys and girls over time. Compared to their heterosexual peers, sexual minority/Two-Spirit boys had higher odds of suicidal ideation since 1998, whereas sexual minority/Two-Spirit girls had higher odds of suicidal ideation since 2003. Sexual minority/Two-Spirit (vs. heterosexual) boys were approximately 4-7 times more likely to attempt suicide since 2008, whereas sexual-minority/Two-Spirit (vs. heterosexual) girls were approximately 3-4 times more likely to attempt suicide since 2003. These gaps in suicidality were persistent across time.

DISCUSSION

Sexual minority/Two-Spirit Indigenous adolescents are at an elevated risk for suicidality compared to their heterosexual Indigenous peers. While trends of suicidal ideation worsened for all Indigenous adolescents, suicide attempts either lessened or remained stable over time. Greater efforts are needed to help reduce suicidality among Indigenous adolescents in Canada, especially among sexual minority/Two-Spirit young people.

Minority stressors and suicidal ideation in sexual and gender minority youth assigned female at birth: Prospective associations and racial differences

INTRODUCTION

Suicidal ideation (SI) disproportionately affects sexual and gender minority (SGM) versus cisgender/heterosexual youth, likely due to the minority stressors (MS) they face. Research has shown cross-sectional associations between SGM MS and suicidality; however, few studies have used longitudinal data or examined racial differences in the effects of MS on SI. The current study tested whether MS prospectively predict next-year SI and whether race moderates these prospective associations.

METHOD

Three hundred and sixty-nine Black, Latinx, and White SGM youth completed baseline measures of MS, SI, and demographics, and SI 6 and 12 months later.

RESULTS

Internalized stigma, microaggressions, and low support from family and from significant others demonstrated associations with next-year SI. When controlling for baseline SI, however, only low significant other support predicted next-year SI. Moderation analyses indicated that internalized stigma predicted SI for White, but not Black or Latinx, individuals and that lower friend support was associated with SI for Latinx, but not White or Black, individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Though minority stressors appear to raise risk for SI among SGM, effects may differ by race. Internalized stigma may be particularly influential for SI among White SGM whereas lack of support from friends may be most influential for SI among Latinx SGM youth.

Weill Cornell Medicine Wellness Qlinic: Adapting the Student-Run Clinic Model to Expand Mental Health Services and Medical Education

The Weill Cornell Medicine Wellness Qlinic (Wellness Qlinic) is a student-run mental health clinic serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ +) community in New York City. Student-run clinics have successfully provided primary care to underserved communities experiencing barriers to accessing health care. Psychiatric evaluation and medication management have also been implemented in several student-run clinics, but providing sustainable psychotherapy services has been a challenge. In this paper, we present a student-run mental health program incorporating interdisciplinary trainees to provide robust short-term psychiatric treatment, including individual psychotherapy, medication management, and group therapy. Results of a chart-review study to evaluate patient engagement and treatment outcomes are presented. The Wellness Qlinic's treatment model resulted in 90% patient retention and positive clinical outcomes for patients while addressing an education and training gap in LGBTQ + mental health for multidisciplinary mental health care providers.

Suicidality, Sexual Orientation, and Race/Ethnicity: Results from a U.S. Representative Adolescent Sample

Objective: We examined sadness/hopelessness and suicide among racial/ethnic and sexual minority youth (SMY).Methods: 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data on sadness/hopelessness and suicide were analyzed among White, Black, and Hispanic/Latino youth.Results: A main effect of sexual minority (SM) identity emerged for sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideation, suicide plan, suicide attempts, and injurious attempts; SMY reported increased risk compared to their heterosexual peers. An interaction between Black race and SM identity emerged for sadness/hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and suicide plan; White SMY were at greater risk than Black SMY. A main effect of Black race on suicide attempts was found; Black youth reported increased risk of suicide attempts compared to White youth.Conclusions: Black SMY exhibited lower risk of sadness/hopelessness, suicide ideation, and suicide plans than their White SMY peers, whereas Black youth overall were more likely to report suicide attempts than their White peers.HIGHLIGHTSThere was an interaction of sexual minority identity and race (Black or White) for three outcomes.SM and Black identities were associated with higher risk for suicide attempts.Only SM identity was associated with increased risk of injurious suicide attempts.

Understanding suicide risk for youth who are both Black and Native American: The role of intersectionality and multiple marginalization

INTRODUCTION

Native American and multiracial youth experience elevated risk for suicide ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA); however, intersectional identities are often unexamined in suicide research.

METHOD

We examined the prevalence of SI and SA, and the impact of intersectional identities (sex, sexual minority identity, and economic insecurity) on these rates, in 496 biracial Black-Native American, 2,804 Native American, 14,220 Black, 5,569 biracial Native American-White, 4,076 biracial Black-White, and 118,816 White youth who participated in the Minnesota Student Survey.

RESULTS

Black-Native American youth reports of SI and SA resembled other Native American youth and were significantly higher than those reported by Black, White, and Black-White (SA only) youth. While sexual minority youth reported higher rates of SI and SA than heterosexual youth, this difference between sexual minority and heterosexual Black-Native American youth was smaller as compared to their peers.

CONCLUSION

Though they largely resemble their mono/biracial Native American peers, Black-Native American youth show some distinct patterns of SA when accounting for their intersectional identities. Despite presumed similarities in systemic risk factors, Black and Black-Native American youth differ considerably in reported suicidality. The experiences of Black-Native American teens warrant further examination.

Achieving health equity in US suicides: a narrative review and commentary

Suicide rates in the United States (US) reached a peak in 2018 and declined in 2019 and 2020, with substantial and often growing disparities by age, sex, race/ethnicity, geography, veteran status, sexual minority status, socioeconomic status, and method employed (means disparity). In this narrative review and commentary, we highlight these many disparities in US suicide deaths, then examine the possible causes and potential solutions, with the overarching goal of reducing suicide death disparities to achieve health equity.The data implicate untreated, undertreated, or unidentified depression or other mental illness, and access to firearms, as two modifiable risk factors for suicide across all groups. The data also reveal firearm suicides increasing sharply and linearly with increasing county rurality, while suicide rates by falls (e.g., from tall structures) decrease linearly by increasing rurality, and suicide rates by other means remain fairly constant regardless of relative county urbanization. In addition, for all geographies, gun suicides are significantly higher in males than females, and highest in ages 51-85 + years old for both sexes. Of all US suicides from 1999-2019, 55% of male suicides and 29% of female suicides were by gun in metropolitan (metro) areas, versus 65% (Male) and 42% (Female) suicides by gun in non-metro areas. Guns accounted for 89% of suicides in non-metro males aged 71-85 + years old. Guns (i.e., employment of more lethal means) are also thought to be a major reason why males have, on average, 2-4 times higher suicide rates than women, despite having only 1/4-1/2 as many suicide attempts as women. Overall the literature and data strongly implicate firearm access as a risk factor for suicide across all populations, and even more so for male, rural, and older populations.To achieve the most significant results in suicide prevention across all groups, we need 1) more emphasis on policies and universal programs to reduce suicidal behaviors, and 2) enhanced population-based strategies for ameliorating the two most prominent modifiable targets for suicide prevention: depression and firearms.

LGBQ-affirmative cognitive-behavioral therapy for young gay and bisexual men's mental and sexual health: A three-arm randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Effective Skills to Empower Effective Men (ESTEEM) represents the first intervention to address the psychological pathways through which minority stress undermines young sexual minority men's (SMM's) mental and sexual health using transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy. This study compared the efficacy of ESTEEM against two existing interventions.

METHOD

Participants were young HIV-negative SMM (N = 254; ages = 18-35; 67.2% racial/ethnic minority) experiencing a depression, anxiety, and/or stress-/trauma-related disorder and past-90-day HIV transmission risk behavior. After completing HIV testing and counseling, participants were randomized to receive 10-session ESTEEM (n = 100); 10-session community-based LGBQ-affirmative counseling (n = 102); or only HIV testing and counseling (n = 52).

RESULTS

For the primary outcome of any HIV transmission risk behavior at 8 months, ESTEEM was not significantly associated with greater reduction compared to HIV testing and counseling (risk ratio [RR] = 0.89, p = .52). Supportive analyses of the frequency of HIV transmission risk behavior at 8 months showed a nonsignificant difference between ESTEEM compared to HIV testing and counseling (RR = 0.69) and LGBQ-affirmative counseling (RR = 0.62). For secondary outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use, suicidality, number of mental health diagnoses) at 8 months, ESTEEM had a larger effect size than the two comparison conditions, but these comparisons did not reach statistical significance when adjusting for the false discovery rate. Observed effect sizes for condition comparisons were smaller than the effect sizes used to power the study. In exploratory analyses, ESTEEM showed promise for reducing comorbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Because the control conditions were associated with stronger effects than anticipated, and given the heterogeneous nature of transdiagnostic outcomes, the study possessed insufficient power to statistically detect the consistently small-to-moderate benefit of ESTEEM compared to the two control conditions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Suicide Among Black Children: An Integrated Model of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide and Intersectionality Theory for Researchers and Clinicians

Recently, research has reported that the rates of suicide among Black children between the ages of 5 to 12-years-old are increasing as they are now more likely to commit suicide than White children. Yet, there are very few, if any, frameworks being used by researchers to explain the risks of suicide among Black children. Suicide research has overwhelmingly been focused on White youth thus leaving a critical gap in suicide research. This conceptual paper provides an integrated framework using the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide and Intersectionality theory, as a guide for researchers, clinicians, and practitioners to incorporate culturally appropriate techniques in their work as a way to prevent suicide among Black children. This framework highlights racial discrimination, mental health, socioeconomic status, and sexual/gender minority status to be the most preeminent, yet understudied factors leading to suicide risk among Black children in the United States. Reprinted with permission of SAGE Publications; Opara et al. J Black Stud (51:611-631), copyright 2020.

Adolescent stress experiences over time study (ASETS) protocol: design and methods of a prospective longitudinal study of sexual minority adolescents in the USA

INTRODUCTION

Sexual minority adolescents (SMA) report higher rates of anxiety, self-harm, depression and suicide than heterosexual peers. These disparities appear to persist into adulthood and may worsen for certain subgroups, yet the mechanisms that drive these concerns remain poorly understood. Minority stress theory, the predominant model for understanding these disparities, posits that poorer outcomes are due to the stress of living in a violently homophobic and discriminatory culture. Although numerous studies report associations between minority stress and behavioural health in adolescence, no study has comprehensively examined how minority stress may change throughout the course of adolescence, nor how stress trajectories may predict health outcomes during this critical developmental period.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Between 15 May 2018 and 1 April 2019, we recruited a US national sample of diverse SMA (n=2558) age 14-17 through social media and respondent-driven sampling strategies. A subset of participants (n=1076) enrolled in the longitudinal component and will be followed each 6 months until 1 July 2022. Primary outcomes include symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder; suicidality and self-harm and substance use. The key predictor is minority stress, operationalised as the Sexual Minority Adolescent Stress Inventory. We will use parallel cohort-sequential latent growth curve models to test study hypotheses within a developmental framework.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

All participants provided assent to participate, and longitudinal participants provided informed consent at the first follow-up survey after reaching age 18. All study procedures were reviewed and approved by the University of Southern California Social-Behavioral Institutional Review Board, including a waiver of parental permission given the potential for harm due to unintentional 'outing' to a parent during the consent process. The final anonymous data set will be available on request, and research findings will be disseminated through academic channels and products tailored for the lay community.

"I Went into This as One Person, and Then Came Out a Totally Different Person": Native LGBTQ2S+ Young Adults' Conceptions of Trauma

Intersecting sources of stigma influence harmful mental health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) young adults (YA) of color as they must manage multiple oppressions. Experiencing both mental health challenges and victimization, LGBTQ2S+ YA of color struggle with distinctive psychological traumas. There is a critical need to determine how certain groups of LGBTQ2S+ YA of color's marginalized social statuses shape trauma understandings. Native LGBTQ2S+ people in general endure diverse forms of oppression and trauma, such as histories of colonialism, contemporary racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism. Understanding the subjective interpretations of violence and trauma among Native LGBTQ2S+ YA is needed to best meet their mental health needs. Through in-depth interviews with 13 Native LGBTQ2S+ YA between 18 and 24 years old, this study delineates processes of how an underrepresented, underserved group of rurally embedded YA conceptualize violent and traumatic life experiences within the context of their mental health. First, participants described their traumatic experiences as shaping persistent harmful mental health outcomes throughout their lives. Second, YA conceptualized trauma as pivotal moments that were profound and influential in their significance as a turning point in their lives. Finally, YA underscored multiple traumas as cumulative and complex in how they interacted to create distinctively harmful mental health challenges. Expansive conceptualizations of trauma can better inform understandings of trauma etiology and promote inclusive health services.

Mental Health Surveillance Among Children - United States, 2013-2019

Mental health encompasses a range of mental, emotional, social, and behavioral functioning and occurs along a continuum from good to poor. Previous research has documented that mental health among children and adolescents is associated with immediate and long-term physical health and chronic disease, health risk behaviors, social relationships, education, and employment. Public health surveillance of children's mental health can be used to monitor trends in prevalence across populations, increase knowledge about demographic and geographic differences, and support decision-making about prevention and intervention. Numerous federal data systems collect data on various indicators of children's mental health, particularly mental disorders. The 2013-2019 data from these data systems show that mental disorders begin in early childhood and affect children with a range of sociodemographic characteristics. During this period, the most prevalent disorders diagnosed among U.S. children and adolescents aged 3-17 years were attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and anxiety, each affecting approximately one in 11 (9.4%-9.8%) children. Among children and adolescents aged 12-17 years, one fifth (20.9%) had ever experienced a major depressive episode. Among high school students in 2019, 36.7% reported persistently feeling sad or hopeless in the past year, and 18.8% had seriously considered attempting suicide. Approximately seven in 100,000 persons aged 10-19 years died by suicide in 2018 and 2019. Among children and adolescents aged 3-17 years, 9.6%-10.1% had received mental health services, and 7.8% of all children and adolescents aged 3-17 years had taken medication for mental health problems during the past year, based on parent report. Approximately one in four children and adolescents aged 12-17 years reported having received mental health services during the past year. In federal data systems, data on positive indicators of mental health (e.g., resilience) are limited. Although no comprehensive surveillance system for children's mental health exists and no single indicator can be used to define the mental health of children or to identify the overall number of children with mental disorders, these data confirm that mental disorders among children continue to be a substantial public health concern. These findings can be used by public health professionals, health care providers, state health officials, policymakers, and educators to understand the prevalence of specific mental disorders and other indicators of mental health and the challenges related to mental health surveillance.

Suicide Attempts Among Racial and Ethnic Groups in a Nationally Representative Sample

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate suicide attempt prevalence and potentially related sociodemographic and psychiatric factors among racial and ethnic groups.

METHODS

Between 2012 and 2013, the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) conducted semi-structured interviews with 36,309 adults in the USA. We identified lifetime suicide attempt prevalence and significant predictors for each racial/ethnic group using stratified logistic regressions. Analyses were exploratory without a priori hypotheses.

RESULTS

Asian/Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander and Black individuals had the lowest prevalence of suicide attempts while Alaska Native/American Indian and White individuals had the highest prevalence. Identifying as female and meeting criteria for psychiatric diagnoses featuring mood regulation difficulties (depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar I disorder) were consistently related to a suicide attempt history across racial and ethnic groups, whereas substance abuse disorders and other sociodemographic factors differed between racial and ethnic groups in their associations with suicide attempt history.

CONCLUSIONS

Although several factors were consistently related to suicide risk across racial and ethnic groups, the prevalence of suicide attempts and overall pattern of related factors were not uniform between racial and ethnic groups.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Study findings highlight the importance of considering suicide risk within the context of race and ethnicity both regarding the overall prevalence of risk and in determining personal factors associated with elevated risk. A failure to appreciate experiences related to race and ethnicity may adversely impact suicide risk assessment and treatment, ultimately contributing to health disparities. Results suggest that additional research is warranted.

Subtle and Intersectional Minority Stress and Depressive Symptoms Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents of Color: Mediating Role of Self-Esteem and Sense of Mastery

Little research has examined subtle, intersectional, and everyday minority stress, such as microaggressions specific to being a queer person of color, and its associations with depressive symptoms among sexual and gender minority adolescents (SGMA) of color. Moreover, research is needed to identify mechanisms that might explain the associations between minority stress and depression. This study examined the associations between subtle and intersectional minority stress (i.e., SGMA of color-specific microaggressions) and depressive symptoms among SGMA of color and tested self-concept factors (i.e., self-esteem and sense of mastery) as mediators of these associations. A large national US sample of SGMA of color (N = 3398; 31.8% transgender; 55.7% plurisexual) ages 13 to 17 years (M = 15.56, SD = 1.27) were recruited online. Participants' race/ethnicity were Asian/Pacific Islander (12.2%), Black/African American (13.2%), Hispanic/Latina(o)/x (30%), Native American/Alaska Native (1.2%), Middle Eastern (1.9%), Biracial or Multiracial (40%), and other racial/ethnic minority groups (1.7%). Over and above the effects of racism and SGM-based victimization, subtle intersectional minority stressors were associated with greater depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem and sense of mastery. Mediation analyses indicated that subtle intersectional minority stressors had indirect effects on depressive symptoms through lower self-esteem and sense of mastery for the aggregate sample of SGMA of color and most racial/ethnic groups in the sample. The results demonstrate that subtle and intersectional minority stress is a unique and significant form of minority stress that is a risk factor for depressive symptoms for SGMA of color. Moreover, our findings underscore self-concept mechanisms as targets for prevention and intervention.

Expanding our paradigms: Intersectional and socioecological approaches to suicide prevention

Despite increasing research on suicide, we continue to see rising rates, particularly among youth. In answering recent calls for critical suicidology and transdisciplinary approaches to research, I discuss expanding beyond the paradigmatic confines of suicidology by proposing two related approaches to improve our science: intersectionality theory and socioecological theory. Following a discussion of social identity and its relation to suicide risk, I review the literature on these topics and highlight importance of paying attention to the unique experiences of youth through the study of intersectionality and using socioecological models in our research moving forward.

Service Provider Perspectives of Minority Stress among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People in the UK

Mental health inequalities among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people from lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) communities persist and remain under-researched. This study is the first in the UK to explore, from the perspective of service providers, minority stress experienced by BAME LGB people. Twenty-three participants were interviewed and data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Minority stress theory was utilized to inform the analysis, yielding the following themes: (1) Stress induced by conflicting sociocultural norms, (2) interpersonal inhibitors of coming out, (3) and problematic coping. BAME LGB individuals are exposed to stressors due to their intersecting sexual, gender, religious, and cultural identities. Major psychological stressors include stigmatized identity, expectations of a heterosexual marriage, and maladaptive coping strategies. This study sheds light on the potential steps that can be taken to ensure effective coping responses among BAME LGB people.

Understanding the Lived Experiences of Hispanic Sexual Minority Youth and their Parents

Disclosure of sexual identity and/or gender orientation is difficult for youth and is associated with elevated adverse health risks, particularly when there is parental rejection. There are limited studies conducted with Hispanic sexual minority youth (HSMY) and their families to understand the disclosure process, how the family unit changes and adapts following disclosure, and the implications for preventive interventions for HSMY and their families. This paper explores the lived experiences of youth and parents throughout the disclosure process. A phenomenological approach was used to interview 15 parent-youth dyads (N = 30) to understand what it means for Hispanic youth to disclose their sexual identity and/or gender orientation. Three themes that best described the experience emerged from the participant interviews; the experience of disclosing included intrapersonal challenges, navigating disclosure, and conceptualizing acceptance. The authors highlight implications for preventive interventions that can help these families undergoing the unique process of disclosure.

Prevalence and risk factors for depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation in youth with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS)

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for emotional distress in youth with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) greater than one month.Methods: We used baseline data from an intervention study for youth with PPCS, utilizing Poisson regression to examine factors associated with exceeding clinical cut-points on measures of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Predictors included: age, sex, socioeconomic status, mental health history, duration of concussion symptoms, history of prior concussion, trauma history and sleep quality.Results: The sample included 200 youth with PPCS, (mean 14.7 SD 1.7 years, 82% white, 62% female). Forty percent reported clinically significant depressive symptoms, 25% anxiety, 14% thoughts of self-harm and 8% thoughts of suicide. History of depression was associated with 3-fold higher risk for thoughts of self-harm (95% CI:1.82-6.99) and 6-fold higher risk for suicidal ideation (95% CI:1.74-24.46). Better sleep quality was associated with lower risk for all outcomes. History of prior concussion and duration of PPCS were not significantly associated with any outcomes.Conclusions: Suicidal thoughts are common post-concussion, and history of depression is a strong risk factor. Tailored interventions may be needed to address mental health in this population.

Psychological Distress, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide Attempt Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Immigrants: Population-Based Findings from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort

In a large, population-based sample in Sweden, we sought to examine mental health disparities between lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual individuals with different immigration statuses. We conducted a population-based study including 1799 LGB and 69,324 heterosexual individuals, recruited in 2010 and 2014 as part of the Stockholm Public Health Cohort. Data were obtained from self-administered surveys that were linked to nationwide registers. We examined associations between mental health outcomes (i.e., psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt) and sexual orientation (LGB versus heterosexual), immigration status (immigrant versus Nordic-born), and their interaction. Sex-stratified weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. LGB individuals demonstrated substantially elevated odds of all mental health outcomes compared to heterosexuals; immigrants reported moderately elevated odds of psychological distress and suicide attempt, but not suicidal ideation, compared to Nordic-born individuals. Interaction terms between sexual orientation and immigration status were significant at p < 0.05 for psychological distress for both sexes and for suicidal ideation and attempt among women. Unexpectedly, models probing interactions generally demonstrated that Nordic-born LGB individuals demonstrated greater risk of psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt than did immigrant LGB individuals, especially among women. Supplemental analyses showed that Nordic-born bisexual women demonstrated the highest risk of all studied outcomes. Being LGB in Sweden is generally a stronger risk factor for poor mental health among Nordic-born than immigrant populations. These findings call for future intersectionality-focused research to delineate the unique cultural, social, and psychological factors associated with mental health and resilience among LGB immigrants.

Depression and Suicide Literacy among Canadian Sexual and Gender Minorities

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare depression and suicide literacy among Canadian sexual and gender minorities (SGM). Online surveys comprised of the 22-item depression literacy scale (D-LIT) and the 12-item literacy of suicide scale (LOSS) were completed by 2,778 individuals identifying as SGM. Relationships between depression and suicide literacy and demographic characteristics were evaluated using multivariable linear regression. Overall, SGM correctly answered 71.3% of the questions from the D-LIT and 76.5% of the LOSS. D-LIT scores were significantly lower among cisgender men and D-LIT and LOSS scores were lower among transgender women when compared to cisgender women. LOSS and D-LIT scores were significantly lower among SGM without a university degree (compared to those with a university degree) and among SGM from ethnic minority groups (compared to White SGM). D-LIT scores, but not LOSS scores, were significantly lower among Indigenous SGM compared to White SGM. The findings provide evidence of differences in suicide and depression literacy between SGM subgroups along multiple social axes. Interventions to increase depression and suicide literacy should be prioritized as part of a mental health promotion strategy for SGM, targeting subgroups with lower literacy levels, including cisgender men, transgender women, Indigenous people, racialized minorities, and those without a university degree.

Cultural context matters: Testing the minority stress model among Chinese sexual minority men

Minority stress theory (e.g., Meyer, 2003b), a model for understanding mental health disparities affecting sexual minorities, has primarily been tested in Western samples yet has not been carefully applied to the experiences of sexual minorities in a global context, including in East Asian countries. Combining minority stress theory with considerations of Chinese culture, the current study tested the associations among norm conformity, distal minority stressor (enacted stigma), proximal minority stressors (sexual identity concerns and concealment), lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) family support, and psychological distress among Chinese sexual minority men (n = 748). Structural equation modeling showed that sexual identity concerns mediated the associations of norm conformity, enacted stigma, and lower family support with concealment. Psychological distress was associated with enacted stigma and lower family support, but not with proximal stressors (sexual identity concerns and concealment). Alternative model testing found sexual identity acceptance concerns predicted psychological distress and mediated the associations of norm conformity and LGB family support with distress. Findings provide partial support for the minority stress model in a Chinese context and suggest the importance of incorporating cultural considerations into minority stress conceptualizations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Sexual Minority Status and Age of Onset of Adolescent Suicide Ideation and Behavior

OBJECTIVES

To determine if sexual minority adolescents have earlier onset of suicidality and faster progressions from ideation to plan and attempt than heterosexual adolescents.

METHODS

A population-based longitudinal cohort of 1771 adolescents participated in the NEXT Generation Health Study. Participants reported sexual minority status (defined by sexual attraction) in 2010-2011 and retrospectively reported age at onset of suicidality in 2015-2016.

RESULTS

Sexual minority adolescents (5.8% of weighted sample) had higher lifetime risk of suicide ideation (26.1% vs 13.0%), plan (16.6% vs 5.4%), and attempt (12.0% vs 5.4%) than heterosexual adolescents. Survival analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics and depressive symptoms revealed positive associations of sexual minority status with time to first onset of suicide ideation (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-3.06) and plan (HR = 2.69; 95% CI 1.30-5.56). The association between sexual minority status and age at onset of suicide attempt was stronger at age <15 (HR = 3.26; 95% CI 1.25-8.47) than age ≥15 (HR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.21-1.66). The association between sexual minority status and progression from ideation to plan was stronger in the same year of first ideation (HR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.07-3.77) than ≥1 year after first ideation (HR = 1.33; 95% CI 0.26-6.77).

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual minority adolescents had earlier onset of suicidality and faster progression from suicide ideation to plan than heterosexual adolescents. The assessment of sexual minority status in routine pediatric care has the potential to inform suicide risk screening, management, and intervention efforts among early sexual minority adolescents.