Few Do and To Few: Disclosure of Suicidal Thoughts in Friendship Networks of Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Abstract

Disclosure of one’s suicidal thoughts is a pivotal but under-investigated mechanism for preventing suicide among young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH). In a sample of 527 YAEH, we adopted a multi-level perspective to assess patterns and correlates of disclosure in their friendship networks. Less than one-third of YAEH disclosed their suicidal thoughts—half of them doing so during a suicidal crisis—and only disclosed to 21% of their friends. Multilevel modeling showed that YAEH who reported a history of unmet mental health needs were more likely to have disclosed to a friend, and friends who were sources of social support were most highly sought out for disclosures. Our findings highlight the need for cultivating safe environments that promote disclosures among YAEH.

Keywords:

• Disclosure
• homeless
• social network
• suicide
• young adult

Additional information

Funding

Robin Petering is supported by National Institute of Mental Health under the grant number (F31MH108446).

Notes on contributors

Anthony Fulginiti

Anthony Fulginiti, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA.

Hsun-Ta Hsu

Hsun-Ta Hsu, School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.

Anamika Barman-Adhikari

Anamika Barman-Adhikari, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA.

Jama Shelton

Jama Shelton, Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College, New York, NY, USA.

Robin Petering

Robin Petering, Lens Co, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Diane Santa Maria

Diane Santa Maria, Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Sarah C. Narendorf

Sarah C. Narendorf, Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.

Kristin M. Ferguson

Kristin M. Ferguson, School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.

Kimberly Bender

Kimberly Bender, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA.