NCJ Number
209620
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 34 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2005 Pages: 149-161
Date Published
April 2005
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study on gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth examined the relation of suicidality on subsequent psychological distress and investigated psychosocial factors that mediate or moderate the relation between suicidality and changes in psychological distress.
Abstract
Among gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youth, suicide is a significant public health concern. Limited research exists on the long-term implications of suicidality among GLB youth. This study examined longitudinal relations between past suicidality and subsequent changes in psychological distress at follow-up among GLB youth, as well as psychosocial factors (e.g., self-esteem, social support, negative social relationships) that might mediate or moderate this relation. The study consisted of 156 youth between the age of 14 and 21, recruited and interviewed from GLB focused community organizations and student organizations in New York City. Results indicate that youth who had attempted suicide had subsequently reported in five of nine possible relations more depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and conduct problems than youth who had neither attempted suicide nor ideated. Youth who attempted suicide subsequently reported fewer psychosocial resources and more negative social relationships than those who neither attempted nor ideated. Yet, psychosocial factors failed to mediate the relation between past suicide attempts and changes in psychosocial distress. Figures and references