Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Suicide Outcomes in Transgender and Gender Diverse Young Adults

Abstract

Objective

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations have a higher prevalence of suicide outcomes compared to cisgender peers. Further, among TGD groups, young adults frequently demonstrate a higher risk compared to other age cohorts. While evidence supports sociodemographic differences in suicide risk, these relationships are not well-established for TGD young adults.

Method

A secondary data analysis of the young adult (18–24 years) subpopulation of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey was conducted. Predicted probabilities of 12-month and lifetime suicide outcomes by gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, homelessness, and poverty were estimated comparing fully adjusted models.

Results

Gender identity, race/ethnicity, and homelessness were significantly associated with all suicide outcomes. Comparisons of gender identities were significant for all outcomes and varied based on the outcome. American Indian/Alaska Native TGD young adults had the highest predicted probabilities compared to other race/ethnicity groups. Further, having a heterosexual/straight sexual identity was among the lowest predicted probabilities for suicide outcomes and significantly differed from several of the other sexual identities.

Conclusions

Findings underscore the importance of heterogeneity among TGD young adults and the need for intersectional research within this population. Elucidating sociodemographic characteristics that contribute to differential suicide risk is necessary for effective intervention strategies and policy advocacy.

Keywords:

• Gender diverse
• sociodemographic
• suicidal ideation
• suicide
• transgender

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children and Youth, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University. No funding was secured for this study.

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

Avery M. Anderson: Conceptualization, Methodology (lead), Investigation, Writing-original draft, Writing-review & editing (lead). Allen B. Mallory: Methodology (supporting), Writing-review & editing (equal). Angela D. Alston: Validation (equal), Writing-review & editing (equal). Barbara J. Warren: Validation (equal), Writing-review & editing (equal). Ethan Morgan: Validation (equal), Writing-review & editing (equal). Jeff A. Bridge: Validation (equal), Writing-review & editing (equal). Jodi L. Ford: Methodology (supporting), Writing-review & editing (equal), Supervision.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Dr. Bridge receives research grant support from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute; he is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Clarigent Health. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). Restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for this study. Data are available at https://www.icpsr.umich.edu with the permission of ICPSR.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Avery M. Anderson

Avery M. Anderson, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus College of Nursing, College of Nursing, Aurora, United States.

Allen B. Mallory

Allen B. Mallory, The Ohio State University, Human Sciences, Columbus, United States.

Angela D. Alston

Angela D. Alston, The Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, United States.

Barbara J. Warren

Barbara J. Warren, The Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, United States..

Ethan Morgan

Ethan Morgan, Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, United States.

Jeff A. Bridge

Jeff A. Bridge, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, Columbus, United States.

Jodi L. Ford

Jodi L. Ford, The Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, United States.