A longitudinal examination of the interpersonal theory of suicide for predicting suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ youth who utilize crisis services: The moderating effect of gender

Cindy J. Chang*, Brian A. Feinstein, Anthony Fulginiti, Christina Dyar, Edward A. Selby, Jeremy T. Goldbach

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Despite high rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, the interpersonal theory of suicide (IPTS) has rarely been examined in this population. The current study utilized a longitudinal design to examine whether perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness independently and simultaneously predicted higher levels of suicidal ideation over time in a sample of LGBTQ+ youth who utilized crisis services. We also investigated whether gender identity moderated these associations. Methods: A total of 592 youth (12–24 years old) who had contacted a national crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ youth completed two assessments 1-month apart. Results: Perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness independently predicted greater suicidal ideation 1 month later; however, only perceived burdensomeness remained prospectively associated with suicidal ideation when both factors were tested in the same model. Gender identity moderated the associations between IPTS factors and suicidal ideation, such that both perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness were associated with greater suicidal ideation 1 month later for sexual minority cisgender young women and transgender/genderqueer individuals, but not for sexual minority cisgender young men. Conclusion: The IPTS helps explain increases in suicidal ideation over time among LGBTQ+ youth and therefore can be used to inform suicide prevention and intervention approaches for this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1015-1025
Number of pages11
JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
Volume51
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2021

Funding

The collection of data for this study was funded by The Trevor Project through a contract to Jeremy T. Goldbach at the University of Southern California. Brian Feinstein's time was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K08DA045575; PI: Feinstein). Christina Dyar's time was also supported by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K01DA046716; PI: Dyar). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Clinical Psychology

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