The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation on Self-harm among Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Minority (LGBTQ+) Individuals.
Arch Suicide Res
; 27(2): 165-178, 2023.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35446245
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The present study was conducted to (1) investigate the role of emotion regulation difficulties among self-harming Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals and (2) to test for a mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in self-harm among LGBTQ + individuals.METHOD:
This study investigated the relationship between LGBTQ + status, self-reported levels of emotion regulation difficulties, and self-harm in a community sample (N = 484, aged 16-63), using an online cross-sectional survey.RESULTS:
LGBTQ + individuals reported more emotion regulation difficulties and were almost seven times more likely to self-harm than non-LGBTQ + participants. Being an LGBTQ + participant was associated with greater self-harm frequency when controlling for age, income, and difficulties in emotion regulation. Emotion regulation difficulties mediated the association between LGBTQ + status and both self-harm status and frequency.CONCLUSIONS:
The present findings suggest that treating emotion regulation difficulties might reduce both the prevalence and lifetime frequency of self-harm episodes among gender identity and sexual orientation minority individuals. Targeting emotion regulation might be used as an early prevention strategy among LGBTQ + individuals who are at risk for self-harm. Further, enhancing emotion regulation skills among self-harming LGBTQ + individuals might replace maladaptive emotion regulation strategies with healthy alternatives, and can, therefore, foster resilience. HIGHLIGHTSLGBTQ + individuals are at high risk for self-harm.ER-mediated the association between LGBTQ + status and self-harm.Targeting emotion regulation in LGBTQ + people may help reduce self-harm.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Self-Injurious Behavior
/
Sexual and Gender Minorities
/
Emotional Regulation
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Arch Suicide Res
Journal subject:
CIENCIAS DO COMPORTAMENTO
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article