Suicide Specific Treatment Outcomes among Individuals with Gender and Sexual Minority Identities

Body of Abstract:

Introduction: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) disparately impact people with sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities across the lifespan. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults are more likely to report suicidal thoughts and behaviors than heterosexual counterparts, and between 57% to 86% of transgender individuals experience suicidal thoughts during their lifetime with an estimated lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts ranging from 26% to 45%. SGM individuals may face challenges in benefiting from current suicide treatments as these treatments do not explicitly consider the impact of their identities on their lived experiences of suicide. Research

Aims: The purpose of this study was to 1. examine treatment outcomes of SGM individuals receiving brief cognitive behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (BCBT) as compared to their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts and 2. Compare the efficacy of BCBT to an active control (Present-Centered Therapy; PCT) for SGM individuals.

Methods: Participants included 74 adults (n=27 [36.4%] male-identifying, n=50 [67.1%] White, mean age=31.8 years) reporting suicidal ideation during the past week and/or suicidal behavior during the past month completing telehealth suicide-focused treatment. 26 (35%) identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual with nine (13.2%) identifying as transgender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary. We received Institutional Review Board approval. 

Results: BCBT is effective at significantly reducing STBs for SGM individuals. Additionally, when compared to another evidence-based treatment, BCBT is significantly more effective (F(1,300)=3.416, P<.05) at treating STBs for individuals who identify as SGM. Planned analyses for this paper presentation will include examining individual differences and unique points of adaption that may serve as treatment outcome predictors to help clinicians modify BCBT for individuals who identify as SGM and increase treatment efficacy. 

Conclusions: Future research should specifically consider the efficacy of first-line suicide-focused treatments among SGM individuals and others with intersectional oppressed identities and integrate the voices of individuals with SGM identities.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe unique considerations for sexual and gender minority individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
• Identify treatment specific factors that impact sexual and gender minority individuals.
• Analyze treatment outcomes between SGM individuals and their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts receiving suicide-focused treatment .