Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors May Be More Common and Severe Among People Identifying as a Sexual Minority

Behavior Therapy
Kathryn R FoxJoseph C Franklin

Abstract

Research indicates that people who identify as a sexual minority are at higher risk of numerous negative outcomes, including self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs). The minority stress model proposes that people identifying as a sexual minority are at higher risk of these behaviors due to sexual orientation-specific stressors-however, it does not clarify whether SITBs will be more severe among these individuals. The present study tested whether SITBs are more common and more severe among people identifying as a sexual minority using several metrics, including frequency of SITB engagement, age of onset of SITB, desire to discontinue SITB engagement, and likelihood of future SITBs. Four independent research samples were used to test this model. Results were then combined and tested in an internal meta-analysis. Findings converge to indicate a longer and more severe course of SITB engagement among people identifying as a sexual minority. Future research is needed to replicate these findings and to advance the understanding of why this imbalance in risk and severity might exist, and how it can be prevented.

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Citations

Jan 30, 2020·Archives of Suicide Research : Official Journal of the International Academy for Suicide Research·Kristen M SorgiMichael S McCloskey
Aug 2, 2019·Nursing Open·Emmanuel Nii-Boye QuarshieJoshua King Safo Lartey
Aug 14, 2020·Archives of Suicide Research : Official Journal of the International Academy for Suicide Research·James S McGrawAnnette Mahoney
Mar 4, 2021·Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology : the Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53·Diana M Y SmithKathryn R Fox
Oct 20, 2020·Journal of Affective Disorders·Adam G HorwitzUNKNOWN Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network

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