Risque suicidaire et stress chez les jeunes homosexuels

Abstract

Stress is omnipresent in the homosexual community. This research aimed to understand how young homosexuals can assess and cope with highly stressful situations. The stress generated by the revelation of homosexuality has been especially studied since, for many homosexuals, the experience of coming-out is highly emotional. A questionnaire adapted from the “Questionnaire d’évaluation de la transaction stressante (QETS)” and based on the transactional model of stress has been filled by 200 young homosexuals. We assessed the characteristics of stressful situations, the risks that participants considered present in those situations (primary endpoint), and the action possibilities, which they could use to confront them (secondary endpoint). We evaluated the presence of suicidal ideas, scenarios and behaviors during stressful situations, and also anxiety and depression symptoms that were felt during the questionnaire session. Young homosexuals then reported the most stressful situation they have encountered during their lifetime. Announcing their homosexuality was chosen by 52 of the total sample. From this observation, two groups were formed. The first one consisted of the 52 young homosexuals who considered their coming-out to be the most stressful situation they have ever encountered (“CO group”; coming-out). The second one consisted of the other 148 participants (“AS group”; other situation). Young homosexuals in the “CO group” were significantly more fearful that this situation could hurt their families. Furthermore, they felt more passive than the participants in the “AS group”. Our results also showed the prevalence of suicidal ideas, scenarios and behaviors amongst young homosexuals after facing very stressful situations. These results open a new line of research in terms of homosexual's suicide prevention. They underline the necessity to develop programs based on stress management in order to prevent suicidal behaviors amongst homosexuals.