Abstract
BackgroundTransgender women are at high risk of depression and suicidal ideation. The interpersonal theory of suicide proposes that suicidal ideation could be a consequence of high interpersonal needs (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness). The current study tests this theory and investigates whether depression could mediate the relationship between interpersonal needs and suicidal ideation among transgender women in Shenyang, China.MethodsA total of 198 transgender women were recruited by snowball sampling. A cross-sectional study was conducted through a structured questionnaire. Suicidal ideation, depression, and interpersonal needs were assessed. Path analysis was used to carry out the research goals and the mediating effect of depression was tested.ResultsThere were nearly 37% of the participants reported lifetime suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was positively correlated with thwarted belongingness (t = −5.53, p < 0.01) and perceived burdensomeness (t = −5.02, p < 0.01). The direct effect from thwarted belongingness to suicidal ideation via depression was statistically significant (Std. β = 0.232, p < 0.01). Depression could also mediate the indirect path from perceived burdensomeness to suicidal ideation through depression (Std. β = 0.222, p < 0.01) although the direct path between them was not significant (Std. β = 0.046, p = 0.693).ConclusionsDepression fully mediated the relationship between perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation, and partially mediate the relationship between thwarted belongingness and suicidal ideation. To reduce the risk of suicidal ideation among transgender women, interventions targeting thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and depression are needed.
Highlights
Transgender women are individuals who were assigned male at birth but identify themselves as women [1]
Transgender women are vulnerable to mental health problems, such as suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and suicide [3–6]
To address the knowledge gaps, this study aims to investigate the mediating role of depression in Joiner’s interpersonal theory of suicide model among transgender women in Shenyang, China
Summary
Transgender women are individuals who were assigned male at birth but identify themselves as women [1]. In China, there are about 7,000,000 transgender women, accounting for 7.28–18.92% of the overall world transgender women population. Transgender women are vulnerable to mental health problems, such as suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, and suicide [3–6]. A large representative study among 1,309 transgender population across 32 provinces and municipalities in China found that transgender women had a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation (56.4%) [7] than the general population (3.1%) [8]. Studies investigating the facilitators of suicidal ideation could inform effective interventions to reduce the suicide attempt, injuries, and deaths among transgender women [10]. Transgender women are at high risk of depression and suicidal ideation. The current study tests this theory and investigates whether depression could mediate the relationship between interpersonal needs and suicidal ideation among transgender women in Shenyang, China
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