The Relationship between Suicide-Related Exposure and Personal History of Suicidal Behavior in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Veterans

Raymond P. Tucker, Sarah Pardue-Bourgeois, Annie Snow, Mike Bradstreet, Julie Cerel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) veterans experience a high prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). Within the general U.S. population, suicide-related exposure is an identified risk factor for STBs. This study explores the impact of suicide-related exposure in TGD veterans. Methods: Self-identified TGD veterans (n = 195) completed an online cross-sectional survey that included self-report measures of suicide-related exposures, experience of past-year suicidal ideation (SI), and history of suicide attempt (SA)(s). Results: A considerable number of respondents indicated that they were close to someone who attempted suicide (40.5%) or died by suicide (32.8%). When asked about the gender identity of decedents, 6.7% indicated that at least one individual was TGD and 18.5% indicated knowing at least one close TGD individual who attempted suicide. Exposure to SA and to suicide were both independently related to a history of at least one SA. Neither type of suicide exposure was related to past year SI. Participants exposed to the SA of a close TGD individual were more likely to report past-year SI than those not exposed. Conclusion: TGD veterans may be more vulnerable to suicidal behaviors if suicide-related exposures are experienced. Public health suicide prevention initiatives, both inside and outside of the TGD community, may help to reduce suicide in these veterans.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)335-341
Number of pages7
JournalLGBT Health
Volume6
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2019, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2019.

Keywords

  • gender diverse
  • suicide
  • suicide exposure
  • transgender
  • veteran

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Urology

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