Sexual identity development: relationship with lifetime suicidal ideation in sexual minority women.

Jessica Dirkes,Tonda Hughes,Wendy Bostwick,Jesus Ramirez‐Valles,Tim Johnson

doi:10.1111/jocn.13313

Abstract

This study draws on a life course perspective to evaluate in a sample of sexual minority women: (1) the relationship between age at reaching sexual identity milestones and risk of suicidal ideation, (2) developmental stages or stages of sexual identity development that represent greatest risk and (3) the relationship between age of reaching milestones and parental support. Research shows higher rates of suicidal ideation among sexual minority women than heterosexual women. Evidence suggests this is partly accounted for by risk factors including sexual identity development and parental support. However, it remains unclear whether there are stages of particularly high risk. This is a cross-sectional study. Data come from a prospective study of sexual minority women that used convenience and respondent-driven sampling methods. Using logistic regression, we examined associations among age at sexual identity developmental milestones, parental support and suicidal ideation in a large (N=820), ethnically diverse sample of sexual minority women. Compared with women who first wondered about their sexual identity in adulthood, those who first wondered in early, middle or late adolescence had greater odds of lifetime suicidal ideation. Younger age at subsequent milestones (first decided or first disclosed) was not associated with heightened risk of suicidal ideation. Parental support was independently associated with suicidal ideation. Findings suggest that where one is in the process of identifying as a sexual minority may be more important than age in understanding risk of suicidal ideation in this population. As individuals come to accept and integrate their sexual minority identity risks associated with younger age diminish. Nurses and other healthcare providers who work with youth should routinely ask about sexual orientation and suicidal ideation and be aware that youth in the earliest stages of coming out as sexual minority may be at particularly high risk of suicide.

Highlights

Research suggests that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide are significantly higher among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people compared to heterosexuals (Meyer et al 2008)
Using logistic regression methods, we examined associations among age at sexual identity developmental milestones, parental support, and suicidal ideation in a large (N=820), ethnically diverse sample of sexual minority women
Parental support was independently associated with suicidal ideation

Summary

Introduction

Research suggests that the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide are significantly higher among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people compared to heterosexuals (Meyer et al 2008). Research has found higher rates of suicidal ideation among sexual minority women than heterosexual women Evidence suggests this may be partly accounted for by contextual risk factors such as sexual identity development and parental support. More recent research has acknowledged limitations with these models because they lack the flexibility to accommodate individual and nuanced differences in the process; they are oversimplified in their delineation of a linear process that always culminates in a static homosexual identity (Diamond 2005; Eliason & Schope 2007) Instead it appears that while most LGB individuals experience multiple milestones, there are important individual differences in their timing and sequence (Calzo et al 2011)

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Discussion

Conclusion