Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Youth and Suicide Essay Example
Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Youth and Suicide Essay Example

Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Youth and Suicide Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
  • Pages: 9 (2296 words)
  • Published: April 24, 2022
View Entire Sample
Text preview

With the increase in the suicidal rates mostly among the Youth, Hass et al., (2011) analyses the various suicidal behaviors and risks for the population and offers prevention and intervention strategies which involve policy changes to help reduce the increasing suicidal deaths. Besides, the article offered estimates of the prevalence of the LGBTQ community in the United States, where the youth within the age range of 18-26 years identified themselves to a particular sexual orientation. The study mainly brought together the existing research findings on the suicidal rates among the youth, giving the contribution factors which cited stressful home and school environment as the major leading causes.

This article was relevant to achieving the objective of the study as it assisted in describing the development of suicidal deaths from ideation, attempting and finally committing the act. Further, the extent of the probl

...

em through the statistics given was analyzed together with the current efforts by different stakeholders to support the LGBTQ community.

Wiederhold, B. K. (2014). Cyberbullying and LGBTQ Youth: A Deadly Combination. Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 17(9), 569-570. doi:10.1089/cyber.2014.1521.

As much as people may applaud social media in offering knowledge fast hand, the same platform can equally be detrimental. This article demonstrates how cyberbullying has contributed to the suicidal rates among the LGBTQ community and especially the youth. The author further analyzed three main studies conducted to demonstrate how the social media is contributing to the challenges faced by the LGBTQ youth. From the studies, the author reveals that out of the 54% youth population facing cyber bullying, 45% were the LGBTQ population. At most times, the LGBTQ youth face humiliation from their peers and due t

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

the large audience within the social media the information spread widely depressing the individual more. These cases stir up suicidal thoughts which eventually lead to deaths. Still, the author explained how various communication bodies and other stakeholders are contributing towards decreasing the cyberbullying cases. This article was relevant to the study as it offered information on how technology through the social media has contributed to the suicidal rates.

Robinson, J. P & Espelage, D. L. (2013). Peer Victimization and Sexual Risk Differences between Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning and Non-transgender Heterosexual Youths in Grades 7–12. American Journal of Public Health. Vol. 103 Issue 10, p1810-1819. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301387.

LGBTQ youth experience victimization, physical assault, and even harassment mostly from their peers. This mostly happens within the school environment making them feel depressed hence developing suicidal behaviors leading to deaths. Robinson & Espelage, (2013) also explain that victimization which heightens feeling of isolation may results to desires for sexual fulfillment, psychological distress leading to unprotected sex. The authors conducted their study involving heterosexual students in grades 7 and 12 from Dane County, Wisconsin to determine the disparities in victimization rates among the LGBTQ youth. The study found out that, victimization rates varied in that lesbian/gay, and bisexual youth had higher victimization rates compared to transgender and questioning youth. Based on the facts, the authors concluded that with the victimization rates within the age range studied, intervention at the middle school level would help reduce the cases. This information was relevant while analyzing the suicide rates in the LGBTQ community as youth are recorded to be the most affected population.

Cramer, R.J et al. (2015). A Moderated Mediation Analysis of

Suicide Proneness among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community Members. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 34, No. 7, 2015, pp. 622-642. DOI: 10.1521/jscp.2015.34.7.622.

Internal homophobia is one of the common conditions among the LGBTQ population which is mainly associated with suicidal proneness as well as mental health problems. The study hypothesized that rejection, burdensomeness, and violence resulted in the completed suicides among the LGBTQ population under the study. The research used participants who consisted of about 336 LGBTQ members. The findings confirmed that burdensome and self-rejections were associated with suicide proneness. The study contributed to the information on various contributing factors increasing suicidal rates.

Rao, S. P Et Al. (2015). Educating Students about Suicide: A Framework for the Use of Fotonovelas on College Campuses. College Student Journal. Summer2015, Vol. 49 Issue 2, P217-224

The article indicates that youth especially those in colleges due to their environment are most likely to commit suicide. Data on the suicidal rates among the college students in Mexico was used to determine the extent of the problem. The authors analyzed the 2012 statistics from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention demonstrating how depression and mental disorders increased suicide rates and completed suicide in the young population. Based on the increasing suicidal rates among the young adults, the authors found that through conducting open conversations with the students and even incorporating the information in their curriculum will help in reducing the suicidal rates among the youth. By developing a framework to achieve their objective, the study remains significant in that it offers information on the contributing factors to suicidal attempts and death. Further, possible intervention and prevention methods were provided which assisted in

making recommendations. However, the framework developed in the study only focused on contributing factors to the school environment neglecting the fact that, how an individual is treated by his/her family members at home affects their behavior at school.

Hass, A. P, Rodgers, P. L & Herman, J. L. (2014) Suicide Attempts among Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Adults. American Foundation for Suicide preventions.Available.http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/AFSP-Williams-Suicide-Report-Final.pdf

In this article, various demographics and experiences were analyzed to determine the suicidal rates in the LGBTQ community. Data was used to explain the prevalence of suicidal attempts among the respondents in the National Transgender Discriminatory Survey. The authors examined the extent of suicidal attempts in the LGBTQ respondents based on contributing factors such as family rejection, discrimination, and homelessness. The authors chose the qualitative method of study where data was collected through questionnaires hence categorizing the suicide rates based on age, ethnicity, social and economic status. The authors concluded that suicidal attempts were lower of respondents who described their gender identity as part time for one orientation to the other. The author's work was significant as various contributing factors were explained with their prevalence. However, methods for intervention and prevention for the risk factors were not provided.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2008). Suicide risk and prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Newton, MA: Education Development Center, Inc. http://www.sprc.org/sites/default/files/migrate/library/SPRC_LGBT_Youth.pdf

Report by the Suicide Prevention Center provided highlights on the risks of sexual behavior among the LGBTQ population. Various risk factors were listed which resulted in suicidal ideation, attempts and completed suicide. Still, the report provided statistical data on the prevalence of general suicidal rates in the LGBTQ population ranging between 15 to 24 years in

the United States. The report was significant as it fully covered on various prevention methods to be implemented to help reduce the rates and improve the quality of life for the sexual minority population.

Rainbow Health Ontario. (2013). LGBT Youth Suicide. Accessed on 5 August 2016.Retrieved:https://www.torontodistresscentre.com/sites/torontodistresscentre.com/files/LGBT%20Youth%20Suicide.pdf

The Rainbow Health Ontario Fact Sheet provides numbers of the LGBTQ population who considered attempting suicide. The survey was done on Ontario Youth in 7-12 grades. Besides, data on attempted and completed suicide was given for US, Canada, New Zealand and the United States respondents. Suicidal attempts rates were explained based on the risk factors. The survey was significant in that it assisted in evaluating the extent of suicidal rates both nationally and regionally.

Centre for Disease Control, (2014). LGBT Youth. Available; http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm

The Center for Disease Control discusses on the general health of the LGBTQ population and how various stressful experiences affects their health leading to suicidal thoughts and eventually deaths. CDC offers information on how gay, lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender individual are affected by issues like assault and even bullying from peers and even family. Further, data was analyzed which was collected between 2001-2009 from seven different states and six urban schools where the students under the study were exposed to violence which triggered suicidal thoughts. The information was relevant as it covered the concept giving various programs which can be utilized to help reduce the suicidal risks.

Allen, T. D., Finkelstein, L. M., & Poteet, M. L. (2011). Designing Workplace Mentoring Programs: An Evidence-Based Approach. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

While viewing the extent of the Suicidal rates to the LGBTQ community, implementation of various programs helps reduce the risks. Developing mentorship

programs within organization settings assist emotionally challenged workers to gain confident and value their life. Their study was based on meta-analysis which evaluated how different research studies evaluate the need for mentoring programs to employees. The information assisted in providing intervention programs to be adopted in the workplace, school and at home. However, the study did not demonstrate how the program will assist the LGBTQ population directly.

Minkler, M & Wallerstein, N. (2013). Community-based participatory research for health: From process to outcomes. San Francisco, Calif: Jossey-Bass

Experiencing challenges which compromises lives for people within the community calls for extensive research to identify ways in which the situations can be salvaged. Suicide among the LGBTQ community is an alarming issue requiring attention. The authors of the book explains that community-based participatory research becomes essentials to assist settling various situations. This involves community engagement component which mainly seeks community involvement to determine research priorities. As much as the work is not based on the LGBTQ population, it remained relevant as it offered ideas on how the suicidal rates can be reduced.

Dewan, J.S. Luo, & N.M. Lorenzi (Eds.), Mental Health Practice in a Digital World: A Clinicians Guide, pp. 81 -122. New York: Springer International Publishing.

Mental Health disorders can be initiated by various factors; both controllable and uncontrollable. The book addresses the fact through the development of modern technologies, and IT can be effectively incorporated to assist mental health patients. The author analyzed the current mental health care delivery within the Unites States healthcare providers and suggested incorporation of Information technology would greatly assist the affected patients. Regarding the concept suicide among the LGBTQ community, the information was related to

the fact that LGBTQ people developmental disorders due to high depression level from the challenges they encounter each day, and so with new and efficient care delivery system, hope for life can be improved.

Singh, N. N. (2016). Handbook of evidence-based practices in intellectual and developmental disabilities. Switzerland: Springer Science and Business Media.

The Author demonstrates that people having some form of disabilities or problems are likely to; face challenges beyond their limitations imposed by their abilities. This means that challenges which people undergo influences their behavior. The LGBTQ community, due to the frustrating experiences, they develop suicidal behaviors that cause them to commit suicide. Information on how individual whose life experiences are taking them down can be assisted, was provided by the author in that, psychologists can focus on various cognitive behavioral strategies focusing on the individual thinking.

Levin, B. L., Hennessy, K. D., & Petrila, J. (2010). Mental health services: A public health perspective. New York: Oxford University Press.

Mental health disorders spread from childhood to adulthood depending on the contributing factors. The authors analyzed data from the World Health Organization where prevalence for mental health disorders was analyzed among children, adolescents, and adults in the United States. Various contributing factors were listed including sexual orientation, and the author suggests that step by step therapy strategies can greatly assist the affected population.

Huston, C. J. (2014). Professional issues in nursing: Challenges & opportunities. Baltimore, MD; Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Suicide among the LGBTQ community has been on the increased over the past years, and various stakeholders are given the responsibility in reducing the cases. At times, the LGBTQ population faces discrimination in healthcare settings and

due to this fact, the author explains how professionalism in nursing practices can assist in offering equal treatment to all patients. The information is relevant to the study as it assists in determining how various institutional sections can assist reducing the suicidal rates.
Experience in note taking and Research Tools

The LGBTQ issue has remained controversial over the past years. Most of the LGBTQ members find it hard to handle the challenges and end up committing suicide. With the increase o f suicidal rates among the LGBTQ community and mostly the youth, most organizations and scholars have taken up the initiative to research and identify risk factors contributing to the suicidal rates and identify various intervention methods to help salvage the situation.
While collecting information for the topic, I came across wide range of information from various scholars and organizations which cumulatively facilitated the achievement of the objectives. I accomplished this through writing down the objectives I intend to achieve at the end of the research. The objectives assisted in narrowing down to topics and subtopics for the paper. With this I was able to search for previous studies mostly by scholars and followed through their specific recommendations to determine whether other studies followed. I mostly focused on publications giving statistical data both regionally and nationally to evaluate on the extent of the problem. In addition, reports by various organizations especially the Centre for Disease Control and Suicide Prevention center proved to be valuable for the topic as I was able to note precisely various challenges the Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and those questioning face and how the organizations are working towards reducing the problems.

With the information I

have gathered so far with the criteria I have adopted, I still intend to collect more information in the internet sources by following up on the subsequent publications of the same scholars and organizations so as to add on the current data collected in the recent surveys.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New