Factors associated with lowered likelihood of suicidal ideation for trans and nonbinary individuals

Abstract

It is estimated that approximately one million people die by suicide each year around the world (World Health Organization, 2014). However, it has been demonstrated that marginalized individuals experience higher rates of suicidality (Almeida et al., 2009), including transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals who have been found to have a suicide risk that ranges from 18% - 47% (Clements-Noelle et al., 2006; Maguen & Shipherd, 2010; Moody & Smith, 2013). A noted phenomenon within suicidality is the higher frequency of suicidal ideation than suicide attempts in the general public and among TNB folx (Borges et al., 2008; Herman et al., 2019). Previous research has primarily focused on risk factors to understand what might increase the risk of suicidality, but there is growing work focusing on protective factors for TNB individuals. The purpose of this study is to assess multiple protective factors for TNB individuals experiencing suicidal ideation through quantitative methodology. A total of N = 95 TNB participants were recruited to complete an online questionnaire. Participants reported their experiences with suicidal ideation (SI) as well as their endorsement of protective factors across eight different factors: correct use of pronouns and chosen name on legal documents, optimism, pride, body congruency, community connectedness, and perceived friend and family social support. A logistic regress was conducted to assess SI. The model was significant χ2 (8, N = 95) = 17.45, p = .026 with correct chosen name on legal documents and community connectedness being significant factors. Implications and limitations to the study are discussed.