Minority Stress and Relational Mechanisms of Suicide among Sexual Minorities: Subgroup Differences in the Associations Between Heterosexist Victimization, Shame, Rejection Sensitivity, and Suicide Risk

Abstract

Despite sexual orientation disparities in suicide, there is limited research examining factors associated with suicide risk among sexual minorities while considering subgroup differences within this group. This study identified differences between sexual minorities at risk for suicide and those not at risk. The study also examined heterosexist victimization, as one form of minority stress, and two relational mechanisms (i.e., shame and rejection sensitivity) as risk factors for suicidality. We examined a moderated-mediation model, in which we tested gender and sexual orientation differences in the mediating effects of the relational mechanisms on the association between heterosexist victimization and suicide risk. Participants were recruited online and completed an online survey. The sample included 719 sexual minority adults. Of the sample, 27.7% were at risk for suicide. Suicide risk varied by age, gender, sexual orientation, income, education, and relationship status. Heterosexist victimization, shame, and rejection sensitivity were significant risk factors for suicide. Shame and rejection sensitivity were mediators of the association between heterosexist victimization and suicide risk for subgroups of sexual minorities, mostly lesbian and gay individuals and to some extent bisexual individuals. The findings underscore minority stress, shame, and rejection sensitivity as key intervention points.

Positive and negative uses of social media among adolescents hospitalized for suicidal behavior

“…-Rejection sensitivity (Brown et al, 2019;Mereish, Peters, & Yen, 2019) Engagement with 'triggering' digital content -Attentional bias to suicidal content (Cha, Najmi, Park, Finn, & Nock, 2010) -Overlap with risk behaviors e.g., self-harm (Riquino, Reese, & Garland, 2020), disordered eating (Werthmann, Jansen, & Roefs, 2015) Cyberbullying, hostile social interactions -Ofline victimization (Geel et al, 2014) -Struggles with interpersonal skills (Rotheram-Borus, Trautman, Dopkins, & Shrout, 1990) Social comparison to others' social media posts -Tendency among depressed individuals toward social comparison, including related to perceptions of others' happiness, peers' social standing (Wetherall et al, 2019) -Dificulty adjusting goals when attainment is thwarted (e.g., social goals) (O'Connor, Fraser, Whyte, MacHale, & Masterton, 2009) Friendship expectations (e.g., for digital availability)…”

The real and ideal experiences of what culturally competent counselling or psychotherapy service provision means to lesbian, gay and bisexual people

“…This can be explained by the additional stressors LGB people face, imposed by holding a minority identity in a potentially hostile society (Meyer, 2003). LGB people may experience stress in several instances, including the following: bullying in the workplace, religious discrimination, rejection by family and friends when ‘coming out’, discrimination and prejudice in the healthcare system, discrimination and prejudice in rural and remote areas, and violence perpetrated against LGB+ individuals (McCann & Sharek, 2014; Mereish et al., 2018; Semp & Read, 2015; Willging et al., 2006). These unique experiences can have a formative impact on LGB people and become relevant when LGB people access mental health services (Willging et al., 2006).…”

“…and violence perpetrated against LGB+ individuals (McCann & Sharek, 2014;Mereish et al, 2018;Semp & Read, 2015;Willging et al, 2006). These unique experiences can have a formative impact on LGB people and become relevant when LGB people access mental health services (Willging et al, 2006).…”

Suicidal Behavior and Its Relationship with Postmortem Forensic Toxicological Findings

“…On the other hand, the WHO does not specify or classify suicide methods, and few studies analyze the different mechanisms of suicide by age group and sex [59,60]. This fact makes it difficult to establish the frequency with which suicide methods occur in different populations.…”