Objective Strong consensus in research literature exists that suicide risk is higher among gay and lesbian people. Internalization of societal sexual stigma may contribute to increasing the risk for suicidal ideation for sexual minorities.The purpose of this study was to identify demographic, social and psychological associated risk factors for suicidal ideation in gay and lesbian young adults and to understand the role of internal sexual stigma on the mental health of sexual minorities. Methods We conducted a sectional study in Italy (N= 260) using snowball sampling in order to recruit gay and lesbian young adults. We used the Multi-Attitude Suicidal Tendency scale (MAST) to assess the suicidal tendency and the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma Scale for Lesbian and Gay men (MISS-LG) to measure three dimensions of internalized homonegativity: identity, social discomfort, and sexuality. The Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) were used to evaluate the quality of the relationship with parents and peer. Disclosure of Sexual Orientation scale (DSO) provided the level of self-disclosure of sexual orientation with peer and family. Results Hierarchical multiple regression analyses identified Sexuality (beta= .24; p<.001) and Social Discomfort (beta= .13; p<.05) dimensions as the main risk factors for repulsion by life related to the Internalized Sexual Stigma. Good levels of peer (beta= -.19; p<.001) and parental attachment (beta= .02; p<.001) are protective factors against suicidal tendency. The model explains the 38% of the variance. Conclusion We assume that higher prevalence of suicidal ideation among gay and lesbian young adults should be understood in a stigmatizing and discriminating context of belonging that may lead sexual minorities to internalize a pessimistic consideration of intimate homosexual relationships# quality and duration and a negative conception of gay or lesbian sexual behaviors.
Objective Strong consensus in research literature exists that suicide risk is higher among gay and lesbian people. Internalization of societal sexual stigma may contribute to increasing the risk for suicidal ideation for sexual minorities.The purpose of this study was to identify demographic, social and psychological associated risk factors for suicidal ideation in gay and lesbian young adults and to understand the role of internal sexual stigma on the mental health of sexual minorities. Methods We conducted a sectional study in Italy (N= 260) using snowball sampling in order to recruit gay and lesbian young adults. We used the Multi-Attitude Suicidal Tendency scale (MAST) to assess the suicidal tendency and the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma Scale for Lesbian and Gay men (MISS-LG) to measure three dimensions of internalized homonegativity: identity, social discomfort, and sexuality. The Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) were used to evaluate the quality of the relationship with parents and peer. Disclosure of Sexual Orientation scale (DSO) provided the level of self-disclosure of sexual orientation with peer and family. Results Hierarchical multiple regression analyses identified Sexuality (beta= .24; p<.001) and Social Discomfort (beta= .13; p<.05) dimensions as the main risk factors for repulsion by life related to the Internalized Sexual Stigma. Good levels of peer (beta= -.19; p<.001) and parental attachment (beta= .02; p<.001) are protective factors against suicidal tendency. The model explains the 38% of the variance. Conclusion We assume that higher prevalence of suicidal ideation among gay and lesbian young adults should be understood in a stigmatizing and discriminating context of belonging that may lead sexual minorities to internalize a pessimistic consideration of intimate homosexual relationships# quality and duration and a negative conception of gay or lesbian sexual behaviors.
RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR SUICIDAL TENDENCY AMONG GAY AND LESBIAN YOUNG ADULTS / Baiocco, Roberto; Fontanesi, Lilybeth; Ioverno, Salvatore; Federica, Santamaria; Lonigro, Antonia; Baumgartner, Emma; Laghi, Fiorenzo. - In: JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE. - ISSN 1743-6095. - ELETTRONICO. - 11:1(2014), pp. 106-106. (Intervento presentato al convegno 16th Congress of the European Society for Sexual Medicine tenutosi a Istanbul, Turkey nel 29 Gennaio - 1 Febbraio 2014) [10.1111/jsm.12415].
RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR SUICIDAL TENDENCY AMONG GAY AND LESBIAN YOUNG ADULTS
BAIOCCO, ROBERTO;FONTANESI, LILYBETH;IOVERNO, SALVATORE;LONIGRO, ANTONIA;BAUMGARTNER, Emma;LAGHI, Fiorenzo
2014
Abstract
Objective Strong consensus in research literature exists that suicide risk is higher among gay and lesbian people. Internalization of societal sexual stigma may contribute to increasing the risk for suicidal ideation for sexual minorities.The purpose of this study was to identify demographic, social and psychological associated risk factors for suicidal ideation in gay and lesbian young adults and to understand the role of internal sexual stigma on the mental health of sexual minorities. Methods We conducted a sectional study in Italy (N= 260) using snowball sampling in order to recruit gay and lesbian young adults. We used the Multi-Attitude Suicidal Tendency scale (MAST) to assess the suicidal tendency and the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma Scale for Lesbian and Gay men (MISS-LG) to measure three dimensions of internalized homonegativity: identity, social discomfort, and sexuality. The Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA) were used to evaluate the quality of the relationship with parents and peer. Disclosure of Sexual Orientation scale (DSO) provided the level of self-disclosure of sexual orientation with peer and family. Results Hierarchical multiple regression analyses identified Sexuality (beta= .24; p<.001) and Social Discomfort (beta= .13; p<.05) dimensions as the main risk factors for repulsion by life related to the Internalized Sexual Stigma. Good levels of peer (beta= -.19; p<.001) and parental attachment (beta= .02; p<.001) are protective factors against suicidal tendency. The model explains the 38% of the variance. Conclusion We assume that higher prevalence of suicidal ideation among gay and lesbian young adults should be understood in a stigmatizing and discriminating context of belonging that may lead sexual minorities to internalize a pessimistic consideration of intimate homosexual relationships# quality and duration and a negative conception of gay or lesbian sexual behaviors.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
