scholarly journals Preferences in Information Processing, Marginalized Identity, and Non-Monogamy: Understanding Factors in Suicide-Related Behavior among Members of the Alternative Sexuality Community

Author(s):  
Robert J. Cramer ◽  
Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling ◽  
Andrea R. Kaniuka ◽  
Corrine N. Wilsey ◽  
Annelise Mennicke ◽  
...  

Suicide-related behavior (SRB) is a mental health disparity experienced by the alternative sexuality community. We assessed mental health, relationship orientation, marginalized identities (i.e., sexual orientation minority, gender minority, racial minority, ethnic minority, and lower education), and preferences in information processing (PIP) as factors differentiating lifetime SRB groups. An online cross-sectional survey study was conducted in 2018. Members of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF; n = 334) took part. Bivariate analyses identified the following SRB risk factors: female and transgender/gender non-binary identity, sexual orientation minority identity, lower education, suicide attempt/death exposure, Need for Affect (NFA) Avoidance, depression, and anxiety. Monogamous relationship orientation was a protective factor. Multi-nomial regression revealed the following: (1) monogamous relationship orientation was a protective factor for suicidal ideation and attempt; (2) lower education was a risk factor for suicide attempt; (3) anxiety was a risk factor for suicide attempt; and (4) depression was a risk factor for suicidal ideation. A two-way interaction showed that elevated NFA Approach buffered the negative impacts of depression. Relationship orientation, several marginalized identities (i.e., based on gender, sexual orientation, and educational level), and PIP all contributed uniquely to SRB. Further study is necessary to understand the role of relationship orientation with suicide. Health education and suicide prevention efforts with NCSF should be tailored to account for marginalized identity, mental health, and NFA factors.

2021 ◽  
pp. 136346152097693
Author(s):  
Carla Pezzia ◽  
Luisa M. Hernandez

Reported suicide rates in Latin America remain low, but there is evidence to suggest they may be increasing, particularly among indigenous populations. To better understand who may be at risk for suicide, we examined the prevalence of suicidal ideation and explored factors contributing to suicidal thoughts in an ethnically mixed, highland Guatemalan community. The data presented in this article are from a mixed methods ethnographic field project conducted over 15 months from 2010 to 2011 in Panajachel, Guatemala. We surveyed a random sample of 350 community members. Survey questions included standardized modules from the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, as well as questions on experiences of violence and mental health care. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 self-selected survey participants with current suicidal ideation. These interviews included questions regarding survey responses, experiences of mental illness, and access to mental health care. A total of 55 survey participants (N = 350; 15.7%) scored positive for suicidality. Ethnic identity, gender, psychiatric illness, and experiences of violence were all correlated to suicidal ideation. Qualitative interview data highlight distinctions between genders within prominent themes of religion, family, experiences of violence, and seeking resources. Three key findings emerged from our research that are relevant to the literature: 1) ethnic identity may be both a critical risk and a protective factor for suicide in some indigenous people; 2) intersections between violence and gender highlight different patterns in suicidal ideation; and 3) high rates of suicidal ideation and other psychiatric comorbidities underscore the need for greater access to mental health services.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (62) ◽  
pp. 299-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelino Pereira ◽  
Francisco Cardoso

AbstractSuicidal ideation is often an indicator of mental health problems and a major risk factor for suicide. This study aims to present the prevalence of suicidal ideation and compare students of a Portuguese university by school and gender. A total of 366 individuals from four schools completed the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (cut-off point ≥ 41 is significant) and specific questions about lifetime and past week suicidal ideation. Frequency analysis and chi-square tests were performed. The lifetime, past year and past week prevalence of suicidal ideation was 12.6%, 10.7% and 10.7%, respectively. A higher percentage of suicidal ideators were attending the School of Human and Social Sciences, and were of the female gender. However, these variables are not significantly associated with suicidal ideation. The results obtained emphasize the need for more research and the importance of taking special precautions to help students to deal with their personal and professional contingency challenges.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Shahriarirad ◽  
Amirhossein Erfani ◽  
Keivan Ranjbar ◽  
Amir Bazrafshan ◽  
Alireza Mirahmadizadeh

Abstract Background: Disease outbreak not only carries the risk of death to the public due to the infection, but it also can lead to unbearable psychological impact on the mental health of the individuals. This study aims to explore and evaluate the burden of psychological problems on the Iranian general population during the outbreak of COVID-19.Method: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among the general population of Iran age 15 and above. Demographic variables, depression, and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaires.Results: Among the 8591 participants, the mean age was 34.37 (±11.25) years and 66.4% were female while 33.6% were male. Based on our results, 1295 (15.1%) and 1733 (20.1%) of the general population clinically significant depressive and anxiety symptoms respectively. Based on the demographic variables, female gender was associated with a higher risk for developing depression and anxiety symptoms, whereas getting information about the disease from medical journals and articles, being older, and being married were considered as associated protective factors. In terms of depression, being a healthcare worker was an associated risk factor. On the other hand, for anxiety, having higher education was a protective factor while a higher number of individuals in a household was considered as a risk factor.Conclusions: This study identified a major mental health problem in the Iranian population during the time of the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, establishing a targeted mental health support program during the time of public emergencies, such as the disease outbreak, is advised.


Author(s):  
Reza Shahriarirad ◽  
Amirhossein Erfani ◽  
Keivan Ranjbar ◽  
Amir Bazrafshan ◽  
Alireza Mirahmadizadeh

Abstract Objective: Disease outbreak not only carries the risk of death to the public due to the infection, it also endures an unbearable psychological impact on the mental health of the individuals. This study aims to explore and evaluate the burden of psychological problems on the Iranian general population during the outbreak of COVID-19.Method: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among the general population of Iran age 15 and above. Demographic variables, depression, and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaires.Results: Among the 8591 participants, the mean age was 34.37 (±11.25) years and 66.4% were female while 33.6% were male. Based on our results, 1295 (15.07%) and 1733 (20.17%) of the general population had depression and anxiety respectively. Based on the demographic variables, Among the risk factors for both anxiety and depression, one could name female gender, whereas getting information about the disease from medical journals and articles, being older and being married were considered as protective factors. In terms of depression, being a non-healthcare worker was a risk factor. On the other hand, for anxiety, having higher education was a protective factor while a higher number of individuals in a household was considered as a risk factor.Conclusions: This study identified a major mental health problem in the Iranian population during the time of the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, establishing a targeted mental health support program during the time of public emergencies, such as the disease outbreak, is advised.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-267
Author(s):  
T. Opakunle ◽  
O. Aloba ◽  
M. Adebisi

Objective: The outbreak of coronavirus pandemic has affected millions of people globally. This has subsequently triggered diverse mental health  challenges. This study examined the prevalence as well as the determinants of suicidality among Nigerian young adults resident in China.Method: This is an online-based cross-sectional survey involving 364 Nigerian young adults in China. Sociodemographic and suicidality related  variables were collected. The respondents also completed the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and the 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scales.Results: The prevalence rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt as a result of the pandemic were 8.2% and 2.5% respectively. A total of 188(51.6%) respondents had anxiety. Suicidality was associated with anxiety and psychological distress.Conclusion: Suicidality is relatively common among the Nigerian young adult population in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health interventions in terms of screening for suicidality and its determinants may need to be developed for Nigerian young adults in China during this pandemic. Keywords: Suicidality, Suicidal ideation, Suicide attempt, Covid-19 pandemic, Nigerian adults


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Macalli ◽  
Massimiliano Orri ◽  
Christophe Tzourio ◽  
Sylvana M. Côté

Abstract Background Childhood maltreatment and peer victimization are major risk factors for depression and suicidal behavior. Furthermore, childhood maltreatment increases the risk of peer victimization. Our objective was to distinguish between the contributions of parental maltreatment and peer victimization to the development of mental health problems in young adulthood. Specifically, we tested whether peer victimization alone or in combination with parental maltreatment before 18 years old was associated with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors at age 21 years. Methods We analyzed data collected from questionnaires administered in the i-Share (Internet-based Students’ Health ResearchEnterprise) study in France from February 2013 to September 2019 (N = 2271 participants). We performed multinomial and binary logistic regression analyses to assess the single and combined contributions of childhood peer victimization and parental maltreatment to anxiety, depression, and suicidality in adulthood. Results Nearly one third of students (28.8%) reported at least one mental health problem; 29.8% reported peer victimization alone; 7.5% reported parental maltreatment alone; and 10.3% reported both parental maltreatment and victimization. In multivariate models, compared to participants that did not experience maltreatment or peer victimization, those that experienced peer victimization alone were more likely to report anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.50–2.40), depression (aOR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.46–2.60), or suicidal ideation, without (aOR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.26–2.09) or with a suicide attempt (aOR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.51–4.85). Similar associations were observed for participants that experienced maltreatment alone. Participants that experienced both maltreatment and peer victimization were at increased risk of depression (aOR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.79–3.86) and suicidal ideation, with (aOR: 9.19; 95% CI: 4.98–16.92) and without a suicide attempt (aOR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.86–3.76). Conclusions Separate and combined exposures to parental maltreatment and peer victimization in childhood or adolescence were associated with increased risks of anxiety, depression, and suicidal behaviors. Peer victimization appeared to play a specific role in mental health disorders that were not otherwise explained by polyvictimization. Currently, peer victimization is a frequent, but avoidable type of child abuse; therefore, these findings have implications for policies for preventing and dealing with peer victimization.


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