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.
Practice Innovations is a publication of APA Division 42 (Psychologists in Independent Practice). Published quarterly (beginning in March), PI serves practitioners by publishing clinical, practical, and research articles on current and evolving standards, practices, and methods in professional mental health practice. Designed as a cross-disciplinary publication with a multi-theoretical scope, the journal supports innovation and the highest standards of care in mental health practice. Coverage areas include population-based practice issues, procedure or technique-based practice issues, diagnosis-based practice issues, and service delivery models. PI's overarching goal is to promote the sharing of clinical and practice-based knowledge in a peer-to-peer framework.For more information, including how to submit a manuscript or subscribe to PI, visit the journal's website at www.apa.org/pubs/journals/pri.
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