Characteristics of Stress and Suicidal Ideation in the Disclosure of Sexual Orientation among Young French LGB Adults

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Feb 7;15(2):290. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15020290.

Abstract

Background: Lesbians, gays, and bisexual people (LGB) present high levels of suicidal ideation. The disclosure of sexual orientation is a stressful experience which presents a high suicide risk. Research has not paid sufficient attention to stress during this disclosure in order to understand suicide among LGB people. The aims of this study were to investigate: (1) the characteristics of stress during this revelation, more precisely cognitive appraisal, emotions, and coping; and (2) associations between these characteristics and suicidal ideation.

Method: A total of 200 LGB young adults answered the "Stressful situation assessment questionnaire", focusing on the most stressful disclosure of sexual orientation they have ever experienced.

Results: Avoidance coping is a good predictor of suicidal ideation, and mediates the association between primary appraisal (risk "Harm myself and others") and suicidal ideation.

Conclusions: Our study illustrates the need to better understand stress during the disclosure of sexual orientation to prevent and care for suicide risk among LGB young adults.

Keywords: LGB young adults; disclosure of sexual orientation; stress; suicide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bisexuality / psychology*
  • Cognition
  • Disclosure*
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Homosexuality / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Suicidal Ideation*
  • Young Adult