Thesis
Suicide, self-harm, social problem-solving, and sexual discrimination among sexual and gender diverse individuals
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Dec 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000914
Abstract
The current study sought to examine the relationships among sexual discrimination, social problem solving (SPS), self-harm, and suicide ideation among sexual and gender diverse individuals. Prior research has shown that the LGBTQIA+ population experiences disproportionate rates of sexual discrimination and harassment (Ploderl et al., 2013; Rabinovitch et al., 2015) and is at higher risk for self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts compared to heterosexual and cisgender individuals (Blosnich & Bossarte, 2012; Hottes et al., 2016; World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). While direct relationships have been found between sexual discrimination and suicide ideation, and sexual discrimination and self-harm among LGBTQIA+ individuals (Blosnich & Bossarte, 2012; Rabinovitch et al., 2015), no known studies have investigated these relationships through the social problem-solving (SPS) model. The current study hypothesized that SPS would moderate the relationship between (a) sexual discrimination and suicide ideation and (b) sexual discrimination and self-harm. Self-repot data (N=251) were collected online through the internet crowdsourcing platform, Amazon's Mechanical Turk. To examine these hypotheses, two hierarchical linear regressions were performed. Despite the overall significance of both models in predicting suicide ideation (F(9, 250)=12.72, p<.001, R2=.322) and self-harm (F(7, 250)=11.95, p<.001, R2=.256), the interaction between SPS and sexual discrimination was not significant in either analysis, thus indicating that SPS did not moderate these relationships as predicted. However, the main effects of sexual harassment ([beta]=.19, SE=.04, p=.001; [beta]=.22, SE=.02, p<.001) and SPS ([beta]=-.39, SE=.13, p<.001; [beta]=-.34, SE=.08, p<.001) were significant in predicting both suicide ideation and self-harm, respectively. These results indicate that (a) increased experiences of sexual discrimination and (b) difficulties responding to and coping with everyday types of problems, as characterized by a negative outlook of the problem, impulsive and careless attempts to resolve the problem, and/or avoidance of the problem, are important predictors in these outcomes. Findings from the current study are supported by prior research that demonstrated direct effects of (a) sexual discrimination and psychological distress as well as (b) coping/problem-solving and psychological distress among LGBTQIA+ individuals (Budge et al., 2013; Choi et al., 2016; White Hughto et al., 2017; Ngamake et al., 2016; Ouch & Moradi, 2019; Puckett et al., 2020), and extends these findings to include self-harm, suicide ideation, and SPS specifically.
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Details
- Title
- Suicide, self-harm, social problem-solving, and sexual discrimination among sexual and gender diverse individuals
- Creators
- Jenna L. Damico
- Contributors
- Arthur M. Nezu (Advisor)Christine M. Nezu (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- viii, 84 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991016457359004721