Abstract: Surviving Stigma: Transgender Adults and Suicide Exposure (Society for Social Work and Research 23rd Annual Conference - Ending Gender Based, Family and Community Violence)

Schedule:

Sunday, January 20, 2019: 12:00 PM

Union Square 20 Tower 3, 4th Floor (Hilton San Francisco)

* noted as presenting author

Annie Snow, MA, PhD Candidate, University of Kentucky, Salem, OR

Julie Cerel, PhD, Full Professor, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Victoria Rodriguez-Roldan, JD, Trans/GNC Justice Project Director, National LGBTQ Task Force

Nina Chaubal, Co-founder and Former Director, Trans Lifeline

Greta Martela, Co-founder and Former Director, Trans Lifeline

Background

Transgender adults continue to face an increased rate of suicidal behavior compared to the general population. According to published findings, 41% of trans individuals attempt suicide during their lifetime. Emerging studies indicate that high rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, parental rejection, and minority stress are all possible risk factors for this population. Despite these initial findings, researchers have yet to investigate the impact of suicide exposure on trans adults. Since research suggests that people exposed to suicide, and especially those who feel close to someone who has died by suicide are at a heightened risk of suicidal behavior, we have endeavored to analyze its effects on this susceptible population. Thus, this study had three aims. 1.Examine suicide exposure in trans adults. Examine demographic correlates of those exposed to suicide deaths and attempts.; 2. Determine relationships between suicide exposure, mental health problems and suicidal thoughts and attempts in this population.; 3. Explore trans experiences with the mental health community.

Methods

In 2017, Trans Lifeline collaborated with the National LGBTQ Task Force to produce an online, nationwide Trans Mental Health Survey. This study was completed by 4352 participants of varying self-identified genders. Respondents were asked questions related to suicide and suicide exposure. Chi-square analysis was employed to examine demographic correlates; forward logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of suicide.

Results

Analysis revealed that 27% of participants were close to someone who had died by suicide. Of these, 25% stated the person who died was also transgender. Nearly 85% of respondents indicated that they had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and 70% of respondents revealed that it was at least "somewhat difficult" to find an adequate mental health therapist. Regression results revealed six predictors of suicide attempts: suicide death exposure, suicide attempt exposure, lack of family support, mental disorder, race/ethnicity, and gender identity. Among the suicide bereaved, regression results indicated a model fit of four predictors: rate of suicide death exposure, gender identity, age, and mental disorder.

Conclusions

A quarter of trans adults reported suicide exposure of someone close to them and over half indicated that they had attempted suicide at some point in their life. This risk factor cannot be ignored as it is important to understand how suicide exposure is related to suicide risk in trans adults. Data gleaned from the Trans Mental Health Survey promises to yield much-needed information about the experiences of trans suicide survivors. According to the latest reports, transgender individuals face a higher lifetime prevalence of suicide, and yet, research has historically relied upon small sample sizes. The present study seeks to remedy some of these statistical limitations by contributing viable information to an inchoate body of research. This survey represents the largest sample size of its kind, offering invaluable insight into this vulnerable and understudied population.