Homelessness, Mental Health and Suicidality Among LGBTQ Youth Accessing Crisis Services

Harmony Rhoades; Joshua A Rusow; David Bond; Amy Lanteigne; Anthony Fulginiti; Jeremy T Goldbach

doi:10.1007/s10578-018-0780-1

Homelessness, Mental Health and Suicidality Among LGBTQ Youth Accessing Crisis Services

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2018 Aug;49(4):643-651. doi: 10.1007/s10578-018-0780-1.

Authors

Harmony Rhoades^{1

2}, Joshua A Rusow³, David Bond⁴, Amy Lanteigne⁵, Anthony Fulginiti⁶, Jeremy T Goldbach³

Affiliations

¹ USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 W. 34th Street, MRF Bldg, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0411, USA. hrhoades@usc.edu.
² USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 1149 S. Hill St., Suite 360, Los Angeles, CA, 90015, USA. hrhoades@usc.edu.
³ USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 W. 34th Street, MRF Bldg, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0411, USA.
⁴ Private Practice, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210, USA.
⁵ The Trevor Project, 8704 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, USA.
⁶ Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 S. High St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA.

PMID: 29322361
DOI: 10.1007/s10578-018-0780-1

Abstract

LGBTQ youth experience increased risks of homelessness, mental health disorder symptoms, and suicidality. Utilizing data from LGBTQ youth contacting a suicide crisis services organization, this study examined: (a) rates of homelessness among crisis services users, (b) the relationship between disclosure of LGBTQ identity to parents and parental rejection and homelessness, and (c) the relationship between homelessness and mental health disorder outcomes and suicidality. A nationwide sample of LGBTQ youth was recruited for a confidential online survey from an LGBTQ-focused crisis services hotline. Overall, nearly one-third of youth contacting the crisis services hotline had experienced lifetime homelessness, and those who had disclosed their LGBTQ identity to parents or experienced parental rejection because of LGBTQ status experienced higher rates of homelessness. Youth with homelessness experiences reported more symptoms of several mental health disorders and higher rates of suicidality. Suggestions for service providers are discussed.

Keywords: Crisis services; Homelessness; LGBTQ youth; Mental health; Suicidality.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Female
Hotlines
Humans
Ill-Housed Persons / psychology*
Male
Mental Disorders / psychology*
Mental Health*
Sexual and Gender Minorities / psychology*
Suicidal Ideation*
Suicide / psychology*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult