Suicidality and discriminatory experiences with healthcare providers in LGBT emerging adults

Abstract

Suicide is a leading cause of death in emerging adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT). This study examines discriminatory healthcare experiences and suicidality in LGBT adults, aged 18–24 (n = 90), who completed a health needs assessment in the Southeastern US. Regression indicated that gender identity, gender identity treatment discrimination, and discriminatory behaviors by providers accounted for 29% of variance in past suicide attempt(s). Individuals reporting being blamed for their health status were more likely to report a history of suicide attempts (p = 0.017). Providers need training to provide care competently to LGBT emerging adults.

Keywords:

• LGBT
• suicide
• mental health
• healthcare
• emerging adults

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Different studies on LGBT disparities have used different comparison groups (e.g., LGB, LGBTQ, LGBT, LGBTQIA+, etc.). An acronym consistent with the cited study’s comparison group will be used throughout.

2 Note. We ran the logistic regression without multiple imputation and found similar results to those presented here: the overall model was significant, and blame remained the only significant individual variable in the full model.