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Abstract

Emerging adults with a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity are at greater risk for engaging in suicide-related behaviors. This disparity highlights a need to elucidate specific risk and protective factors associated with suicide-related behaviors among LGB youth, which could be utilized as targets for suicide prevention efforts in this population. Informed by the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide, the present study hypothesized that social support would be indirectly associated with decreased suicide ideation via lower thwarted belongingness. A sample of 50 emerging adults (62.0% male, 70.0% Hispanic) who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning, or “other” orientation, with a mean age of 20.84 years (SD = 3.30 years), completed self-report assessments. Results indicated that support from both family and the LGB community were associated with lower thwarted belongingness over and above the effects of age, sex, and depressive symptoms. Indirect effects models also indicated that both family and LGB community support were associated with suicide ideation via thwarted belongingness. The results of the present study suggest that family and LGB community support may represent specific targets for reducing thwarted belongingness that could be leveraged in suicide prevention efforts for LGB emerging adults.

Key Take Away Points

  • Support from both family and the LGB community were associated with lower thwarted belongingness and suicide ideation.
  • Results suggest that family and LGB community support may represent specific targets for reducing thwarted belongingness that could be leveraged in suicide prevention efforts for LGB emerging adults.

Author Biography

Ryan M. Hill is a clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Psychology Section of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. Evan E. Rooney is a Research Coordinator in the Psychology Section of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. Megan A. Mooney is a clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Psychology Section of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. Julie B. Kaplow is a board certified clinical child psychologist, Associate Professor in the Psychology Section of the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, and the Director of the Trauma and Grief Center.

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by a Florida International University Pre-doctoral Presidential Fellowship award to Ryan M. Hill.

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