288506
Suicidal ideation and parental reactions to LGBT identity disclosure
John A. Frank, BA
,
Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY
Michael J. McCutcheon
,
Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY
Alexander B. Belser, M.Phil.
,
Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY
Jeffrey Goulding, BS
,
Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY
Pham Phoung Tram Huynh, M.SC
,
Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY
Molly B. Greenberg
,
Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY
Stephen Russell, PhD
,
Family Studies and Human Development, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Arnold H. Grossman, PhD, LMSW
,
Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY
BACKGROUND: Parental reactions to youths' LGBTQ identity positively or negatively affect the existence of suicidal ideation and other mental health outcomes (Ryan et al., 2009; Rothman et al., 2012). The aim of the current project is to study the effect of parental reactions on suicide risk and resilience of LGQTQ youth in the face of varying levels of LGBT-related physical victimization. SAMPLE: Data comes from the first wave (2011-2012) of a NIMH-funded, 3-year longitudinal study on risk and protective factors of suicide among a racially diverse sample of 741 LGBTQ youth ranging in age from 15-21 who were recruited through LGBTQ youth organizations, college groups, and via snowball sampling in three US cities. RESULTS: After grouping participants based on exposure to LGBT-related physical victimization, one-way ANOVAs were conducted to explore the impact of current parental reactions to participants' LGBT identity on suicide risk and resilience among each group. Parental reactions were related to suicide resilience (F(2,540) = 6.614, p = .001) when physical victimization was non-existent and were related to suicide risk when victimization was high (i.e., 3 or more lifetime experiences) (F(2,60)= 8.472, p = .001). Post-hoc analyses will be conducted to further explore these relationships. IMPLICATIONS: Findings have mental health implications among LGBTQ youth in their relation to risk and resilience to suicide ideation. They also highlight a need to develop strategies for helping youth who face LGBT-related victimization beyond supportive parental reactions.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Analyze the relationships between suicidal ideation and parental reactions to LGBT identity disclosure in the face of varying levels of LGBT-related physical victimization.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a research assistant under the supervision of the Primary Investigator of a nationwide longitudinal study funded by an R01 grant of the National Institute Of Mental Health (Grant Number R01MH091212). Additionally, I am a doctoral student with substantial coursework and previous research experience in the area of LGBT mental health and suicide.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
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