Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior · 2007 · 670 citations · 23 references
Social SciencesGender StudiesSocial PsychologyAdolescent DevelopmentAdolescent HealthLgbtq StudiesGender IdentityLgbtq Health StudiesLgbtq PsychologyLgbtq Youth StudiesTransgender HealthTransgender Youth StudiesAdolescent Transgender HealthRisk Factor IdentificationSexual Minority HealthSuicide Attempt RiskTrans AdolescenceTrans Youth
Sexual minority status is a major risk factor for suicide and life‑threatening behaviors among LGBTQ youth, yet transgender youth have been understudied. Among 55 transgender youth, nearly half reported serious suicidal thoughts and a quarter had attempted suicide, with attempts associated with transgender‑identity–related ideation, parental abuse, and low body esteem, especially weight concerns.
Sexual minority status is a key risk factor for suicide among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth; however, it has not been studied among transgender youth. Fifty-five transgender youth reported on their life-threatening behaviors. Nearly half of the sample reported having seriously thought about taking their lives and one quarter reported suicide attempts. Factors significantly related to having made a suicide attempt included suicidal ideation related to transgender identity; experiences of past parental verbal and physical abuse; and lower body esteem, especially weight satisfaction and thoughts of how others evaluate the youths' bodies. Sexual minority status is a key risk factor for life-threatening behaviors among transgender youth.
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