Transgender youth and life-threatening behaviors

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2007 Oct;37(5):527-37. doi: 10.1521/suli.2007.37.5.527.

Abstract

Sexual minority status is a key risk factor for suicide among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth; however, it has not been studied among transgender youth. Fifty-five transgender youth reported on their life-threatening behaviors. Nearly half of the sample reported having seriously thought about taking their lives and one quarter reported suicide attempts. Factors significantly related to having made a suicide attempt included suicidal ideation related to transgender identity; experiences of past parental verbal and physical abuse; and lower body esteem, especially weight satisfaction and thoughts of how others evaluate the youths' bodies. Sexual minority status is a key risk factor for life-threatening behaviors among transgender youth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Self Concept
  • Suicide, Attempted / trends*
  • Transsexualism / psychology*
  • Transvestism / psychology*