IngentaConnect Psychological Distress Following Suicidality Among Gay, Lesbian, ...

Authors: Rosario, Margaret¹; Schrimshaw, Eric; Hunter, Joyce

Source: Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Volume 34, Number 2, April 2005 , pp. 149-161(13)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

Longitudinal relations between past suicidality and subsequent changes in psychological distress at follow-up were examined among gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths, as were psychosocial factors (e.g., self-esteem, social support, negative social relationships) that might mediate or moderate this relation. Past suicide attempters were found to have higher levels of depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and conduct problems at a later time than youths who neither attempted nor ideated. Psychosocial factors failed to mediate this relation. The interaction among past suicidality, social support, and negative relationships was associated with subsequent changes in all 3 psychological distress indicators 6 months later. Specifically, high levels of support (either from family or friends) or negative relationships were found to predict increased psychological distress among those with a history of suicide attempts, but not among youths without a history of suicidality. The findings suggest that GLB youths who attempt suicide continue to have elevated levels of psychological distress long after their attempt and they highlight the importance of social relationships in the youths’ psychological distress at follow-up.

Keywords: gay; lesbian; bisexual; adolescents; suicide attempts; suicidal ideation; psychological distress; conduct problems; self-esteem; social support; negative social relationships; longitudinal research

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1007/s10964-005-3213-y

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, The City College and Graduate Center, The City University of New York, NAC Building 7-120, Convent Avenue and 138th Street, New York, 10031, Email: mrosario@gc.cuny.edu

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Psychological Distress Following Suicidality Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youths: Role of Social Relationships