Introduction. Suicide is considered an issue of particular relevance in the context of health: it is the third leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 26 years and 60% of the transitions from suicidal ideation to first suicide attempt occurred within the first year of ideation onset (Laghi, Baiocco, D'Alessio, & Gurrieri, 2009). Strong consensus in research literature exists that suicide risk is higher among gays and lesbians. This expectation is consistent with to Minority Stress Model (Meyer, 2003) affirming that a minority position, just like minority sexual orientation, can afford disadvantages or stresses due to individual and institutional discrimination and stigmatization that can contribute to vulnerability for suicide (Lingiardi, Baiocco, & Nardelli, 2012). Aims. The purpose of this is study was to identify demographic, social and psychological associated risk factors for suicidal ideation in gay and lesbian young adults and to understand the influence of discrimination on the mental health of sexual minorities. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Italy (N=400) using snowball sampling in order to recruit gay and lesbian young adults. We obtained data using a structured questionnaire addressing suicidal ideation, religion involvment, peer and parental attachment, past experiences of victimization at school, depression, internalized sexual stigma and disclosure of sexual orientation. Administration of tests was carried out through self-administred computer-based. Computerized questions had advantages for the recruit of people who didn’t make public own sexual orientation. Results. Using the Chi square and multivariable logistic regression analyses we identified consistent risk factors for suicidal ideation: having lower level of peer and parental attachment, having depressive symptoms, having high levels of internalized sexual stigma and past experiences of victimization at school. A 2X2 (Gender x Age) MANOVA was conducted on Internalized Sexual Stigma. There were a main effect of gender. The highest levels of sexual stigma were reported by gay men. Discussion and Implications. We found the relevant effect of internalized sexual stigma and self disclosure of sexual orientation on the development of suicidal ideation. Our results confirmed that a negative relationship with parents and peers and experiences of victimization in the past were important variables predicting suicidal ideation. Another important finding was the role of religion as protective factor against the suicidal ideation. We assumed that higher prevalence of suicidal ideation among LGB was not merely indicative of persistent stress that may have had its origins in the sexual orientation but rather should be understood in a stigmatizing and discriminating context of belonging.

Suicidal ideation in gay and lesbian young adults: the role of internalized sexual stigma / Baiocco, Roberto; Ioverno, Salvatore; Laghi, Fiorenzo. - STAMPA. - (2013). (Intervento presentato al convegno 6th Conference on Emerging Adulthood tenutosi a Chicago, Illinois nel 9-11 Ottobre).

Suicidal ideation in gay and lesbian young adults: the role of internalized sexual stigma

BAIOCCO, ROBERTO;IOVERNO, SALVATORE;LAGHI, Fiorenzo
2013

Abstract

Introduction. Suicide is considered an issue of particular relevance in the context of health: it is the third leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 26 years and 60% of the transitions from suicidal ideation to first suicide attempt occurred within the first year of ideation onset (Laghi, Baiocco, D'Alessio, & Gurrieri, 2009). Strong consensus in research literature exists that suicide risk is higher among gays and lesbians. This expectation is consistent with to Minority Stress Model (Meyer, 2003) affirming that a minority position, just like minority sexual orientation, can afford disadvantages or stresses due to individual and institutional discrimination and stigmatization that can contribute to vulnerability for suicide (Lingiardi, Baiocco, & Nardelli, 2012). Aims. The purpose of this is study was to identify demographic, social and psychological associated risk factors for suicidal ideation in gay and lesbian young adults and to understand the influence of discrimination on the mental health of sexual minorities. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Italy (N=400) using snowball sampling in order to recruit gay and lesbian young adults. We obtained data using a structured questionnaire addressing suicidal ideation, religion involvment, peer and parental attachment, past experiences of victimization at school, depression, internalized sexual stigma and disclosure of sexual orientation. Administration of tests was carried out through self-administred computer-based. Computerized questions had advantages for the recruit of people who didn’t make public own sexual orientation. Results. Using the Chi square and multivariable logistic regression analyses we identified consistent risk factors for suicidal ideation: having lower level of peer and parental attachment, having depressive symptoms, having high levels of internalized sexual stigma and past experiences of victimization at school. A 2X2 (Gender x Age) MANOVA was conducted on Internalized Sexual Stigma. There were a main effect of gender. The highest levels of sexual stigma were reported by gay men. Discussion and Implications. We found the relevant effect of internalized sexual stigma and self disclosure of sexual orientation on the development of suicidal ideation. Our results confirmed that a negative relationship with parents and peers and experiences of victimization in the past were important variables predicting suicidal ideation. Another important finding was the role of religion as protective factor against the suicidal ideation. We assumed that higher prevalence of suicidal ideation among LGB was not merely indicative of persistent stress that may have had its origins in the sexual orientation but rather should be understood in a stigmatizing and discriminating context of belonging.
2013
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/540903
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