Proximal correlates of suicidal ideation among transgender and gender diverse people: A preliminary test of the three-step theory.

INTRODUCTION: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people experience higher rates of suicidal ideation than their cisgender peers; however, very little is known about factors that proximally relate to suicidal ideation in this population. This limited understanding may be due to the lack of theory-guided studies that are capable of testing proximal correlates of suicidal ideation among TGD people. METHODS: We tested the first two steps of the three-step theory (3ST) of suicide using daily survey data from a sample of 38 TGD people over 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 836 daily surveys were collected (73.3% compliance). Multilevel modeling supported the first and second step of the 3ST. Psychological pain and hopelessness interacted to predict same-day suicidal ideation, with psychological pain positively associating with ideation only at average and high levels of hopelessness. Furthermore, psychological pain that outweighed connectedness was moderately associated with suicidal ideation among those with high levels of hopelessness and psychological pain. CONCLUSION: The 3ST of suicide shows promise for explaining and guiding interventions to reduce suicidal ideation in this vulnerable population.

Minority stress and drug use among transgender and gender diverse adults: A daily diary study.

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender-diverse people are at higher risk for drug use and drug use disorder than their cisgender peers. Theory and research have suggested that external minority stressors (e.g., discrimination, violence, and rejection) and internal minority stressors (e.g., internalized transphobia) may contribute to this health disparity. However, few studies have examined the proximal (e.g., same-day) association between minority stress and drug use. METHODS: The present study tested the same-day association of external and internal minority stressors with use of drugs in a sample of 38 transgender and gender-diverse participants residing in two Southeastern cities. Participants reported their previous day's experiences with minority stress and drug use over the course of 30 days. A total of 836 daily surveys were collected (73.3 % compliance rate). RESULTS: Multilevel modeling revealed that external minority stress (i.e., violence, harassment, discrimination, rejection), but not internalized stigma, was associated with increased odds of drug use on a given day, while controlling for time, same-day depressive affect and cognition, same-day gender dysphoria symptoms, demographics, and baseline levels of drug use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that external minority stress is associated with drug use on the same day. Future empirical and theoretical work may examine factors that could moderate these associations. Clinicians working with transgender and gender-diverse individuals should assess for minority stress and possible related drug use behavior.

Correlates of suicide ideation and behaviors among transgender people: A systematic review guided by ideation-to-action theory.

Transgender people are at high risk for suicide ideation, attempts, and deaths compared to the general population. Several correlates of suicide ideation and attempts have been identified empirically to understand this increased risk. However, few attempts have been made to systematically review this literature. Further, a theory to understand and identify targetable factors for intervention has rarely been applied to this population. In the first systematic review guided by ideation-to-action frameworks of suicide, we systematically reviewed the literature from January 1991 to July 2017 regarding correlates of suicide ideation, attempts, and deaths among transgender people. To be included in the review, articles must have been reported in English, reported on empirical data, included a sample or subsample of transgender people, and reported separately on correlates of suicide ideation, attempts, or deaths. Two independent reviewers searched three major databases, references of included articles, and unpublished literature, which produced 45 articles for review. The review suggested that ideation-to-action frameworks would be worth investigating within this population, with attention to sources of psychological pain, social connectedness, and capacity/capability for suicide unique to this population. Additionally, other aspects of cultural identity were often studied (e.g., race, religion), suggesting the need to understand intersectionality of identities among transgender people and their effects on suicide risk. Finally, the review highlighted important limitations of the literature, namely measurement of suicide ideation and attempts and sampling method, which future work should seek to improve.

Suicide Risk Among Transgender People: A Prevalent Problem in Critical Need of Empirical and Theoretical Research.

Transgender individuals are at increased risk for suicide relative to nontransgender people. Despite this, research on transgender people's risk for suicide mirrors their marginalization at the societal level; there is simply not enough research dedicated to understanding increased suicide risk among transgender people. This article presents a brief review of what is known regarding the prevalence and correlates of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors among transgender people and offers perspective regarding what theories of suicide may be pertinent to understanding and addressing increased suicide risk within this population. We also summarize strengths and limitations of the current body of work to provide impetus for additional and improved research on this important problem.