Longitudinal associations between childhood sexual abuse-related PTSD symptoms and passive and active suicidal ideation among sexual minority men

Sexual harassment, sexual assault, violence, self-esteem, and the role of LGBTQ-specific parental support in a sample of Latinx sexual and gender minority youth

INTRODUCTION

Oftentimes as result of racism, cissexism, and heterosexism, many Latinx and sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth are victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence. These experiences of victimization are in part related to increased negative mental health outcomes such as decreased self-esteem. Some research links LGBTQ-specific parental support to mental health outcomes among Latinx SGM youth, yet, no research has explored the role of LGBTQ-specific parental support with self-esteem among Latinx SGM youth.

METHODS

In a sample of 1,012 Latinx SGM youth (ages 13-17), we assessed: (a) associations between sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence and self-esteem, (b) association between LGBTQ-specific parental support and self-esteem, and (c) whether LGBTQ-specific parental support moderated the relation between sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence and self-esteem. Main effect and moderation analyses examined interactions between LGBTQ-specific parental support with sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence on self-esteem.

RESULTS

Latinx SGM youth experienced low levels of LGBTQ-specific parental support and various degrees of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence. Also, transgender and nonbinary/genderqueer Latinx youth experienced lower self-esteem than their Latinx cisgender counterparts. Increased LGBTQ-specific parental support was related to increased self-esteem. We also identified a significant interaction between sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence and LGBTQ-specific parental support, such that parental support was more protective at low levels rather than high levels of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and violence among Latinx SGM youth.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings add to a growing body of research about the importance of LGBTQ-specific parental support for Latinx SGM youth, and the need to examine culturally appropriate approaches to understand parent-child relationship among these communities.

Support-Seeking and Active Coping Mitigate the Association Between Posttrauma Symptom Severity and Attachment Insecurity in a Community Sample of Trauma Survivors

There is an established association between posttrauma symptom severity (PTSS) and attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance). However, few studies have examined this association among community samples of trauma-exposed individuals and identified factors that might moderate these associations. We sought to (a) replicate existing associations between PTSS and attachment insecurity in a community sample of trauma survivors and (b) determine the potential moderating role of support-seeking and coping behaviors. Our sample included 824 trauma-exposed individuals (MPCL-5 = 31.6, SD = 20.0; Mage = 37.4, SD = 13.2; 69.3% female; 79.1% White; 77.2% heterosexual). Participants completed an online survey via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Linear regression and moderation analyses tested the association between PTSS and attachment insecurity and whether support-seeking and coping behaviors moderated these associations. PTSS was positively associated with global attachment anxiety (β = .48, 95% confidence interval [.42, .54]) and global attachment avoidance (β = .06, [.15, .29]). The association between PTSS and attachment avoidance was weaker for people who reported greater instrumental and emotional support-seeking or greater active coping. This study provides evidence for the association between PTSS and attachment insecurity. Findings underscore the need to understand causal mechanisms underlying this association and critically evaluate how existing and future interventions can buffer attachment insecurity in trauma-exposed individuals.

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Associated Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Gay and Bisexual Men in China: A Moderated Mediation Model

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a critical risk factor for suicidal ideation and attempts, especially among gay and bisexual men who experience living as a minority. However, whether internalized homophobia (IH) underlies suicide risk and the role of outness to one's family in this association warrants investigation to inform preventive interventions. Using a cross-sectional survey of 570 gay and bisexual men in China, we examined the relationship between CSA and suicidality in the Chinese context and tested a moderated mediation model in this relationship. Nearly 65.6% of the participants had experienced suicidal ideation and 36.8% had attempted suicide. Participants with a history of CSA had higher suicidal ideation (r = 0.33, p < .01) and attempts (r = 0.48, p < .01). Our bootstrapped mediation analysis showed that IH partially mediated the relationship between CSA and suicidal ideation and attempts. Moreover, outness to one's family (parents and other family members) strengthened the direct association of CSA and IH, and the indirect relationship between CSA and suicidal ideation and attempts. These findings highlight the significance of identifying risk factors and mechanisms for suicidality among Chinese gay and bisexual men, suggesting the importance of early intervention, especially for those who have experienced CSA, to eliminate their IH and to improve family support for coming out to prevent the onset of suicidal ideation and attempts.

A rapid review to determine the suicide risk and risk factors of men who are survivors of sexual assault

This rapid review assessed the suicide risk and risk factors of men who are survivors of sexual assault. We searched three academic databases (Cochrane, Medline and PsycINFO) for peer-reviewed articles in English published between 2010 and 2022. We rated the quality of the evidence based on the National Health and Medical Research Council Levels of Evidence. One systematic review and 16 papers featuring primary studies were included relating to suicide rates and risk. Findings suggest men who have been sexually assaulted (as a child or adult) are at increased risk of suicidal thoughts, attempts and behaviours compared with men who have not been sexually assaulted. Factors such as frequency of abuse and other concurrent forms of childhood abuse may further increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This evidence base was rated as good. The strength of this evidence supports a need for targeted suicide prevention in this high risk group.

Nonmedical Social Determinants, Syndemic Conditions, and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in a Treatment-seeking Community Sample: A Latent Class Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Knowledge gaps remain regarding whether syndemic conditions identify treatment-seeking individuals most at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). We employed latent class analysis to: (1) model treatment-seeking individuals' syndemic conditions, (2) examine latent classes across nonmedical social determinants, and (3) assess associations between class membership and STB.

METHOD

Participants were 982 individuals presenting at a community mental health clinic between October 2014 and February 2020. The three-step latent class analytic approach was used. Regression analyses were employed to examine nonmedical social determinants and STB outcomes associated with class membership.

RESULTS

Participants were aged 18 to >72 (75.8% White; 76.7% heterosexual; 53.7% cisgender woman; 73.8% earned ≥$20,000 annually). Latent class analysis resulted in a three-class solution. Participants in Class 1 were characterized by low probabilities across syndemic conditions. Class 2 was characterized by high probabilities of anxiety and depression. Class 3 was characterized by high probabilities of eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Participants of color, sexual minority participants, cisgender women, and those experiencing financial distress were more likely to be in classes characterized by syndemic conditions. Classes characterized by syndemic conditions, relative to no syndemic conditions, were associated with greater risk of STB.

CONCLUSION

Findings confirm the concentrated clustering of co-occurring syndemic conditions among marginalized groups and highlight differing risks for those considering suicide or who have attempted suicide vs. those engaging in self-harm. Results underscore the need for resource allocation and multilevel interventions targeting syndemic conditions and suicidality for minority populations and those experiencing financial distress.

Psychometric Evaluation of Three Versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Full, Eight-Item, and Three-Item Versions) among Sexual Minority Men in Taiwan

The UCLA Loneliness Scale, with different short versions, is widely used to assess levels of loneliness. However, whether the scale is valid in assessing loneliness among sexual-minority men is unknown. Additionally, it is unclear whether the 8-item and 3-item short versions are comparable to the full 20-item version. The present study compared the validity of the three versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (i.e., 20-item, 8-item, and 3-item versions) among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. The participants comprised 400 gay and bisexual men in Taiwan who completed a cross-sectional online survey, which included the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate factorial validity. Convergent validity was examined between the three versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the CES-D and STAI. Known-group validity was investigated with participants’ sexual orientation and educational levels. The unidimensional construct was supported in all three versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale tested in the present study. Convergent validity was supported as the level of loneliness was correlated with the level of depression and anxiety for all three versions. There were no significant differences between gay and bisexual men, although significant differences were found across different educational levels. The study confirmed that all three versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale were comparable with satisfactory reliability and validity in Taiwanese sexual-minority men.