Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Attitudes and Beliefs About Suicidal Behavior When Coming Out Is the Precipitant of the Suicidal Behavior

  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Young persons who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) have higher rates of nonfatal suicidal behavior than their heterosexual peers. It has been suggested that suicidal behavior may be a painful but unavoidable rite of passage for LGB youths at the coming out stage. Could this mean that suicidal behavior is considered understandable and even permissible behavior for LGB youths at this stage? In this study we explored reactions to a suicidal decision when coming out was the precipitant of the suicidal act. Specifically, we compared attitudes toward a suicidal decision after coming out and being rejected by one's parents with attitudes toward a suicidal decision after experiencing other stressors (i.e., a physical illness, a relationship loss, or an academic failure). Contrary to expectation, the decision to engage in suicidal behavior following coming out was not viewed in relatively accepting terms. Rather, it was perceived as unsound and weak. As in previous studies, physical illness was singled out as a relatively understandable motivation for suicidal behavior. In addition, we found that androgynous persons viewed the suicidal decision as more unsound than other gender-identity types, independent of precipitant. Given similar evidence from other studies, future research might explore the role of androgyny in the protection against suicidal behavior.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beere, C. A. (1990). Gender roles: A handbook of tests and measures. New York: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canetto, S. S. (1992). Gender and suicide in the elderly. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 22, 80–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canetto, S. S. (1997a). Meanings of gender and suicidal behavior during adolescence. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 27, 339–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canetto, S. S. (1997b). Gender and suicidal behavior: Theories and evidence. In R. W. Maris, M. M. Silverman, & S. S. Canetto (Eds.), Review of suicidology (pp. 138–167). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canetto, S. S., & Lester, D. (1995). Gender and the primary prevention of suicide mortality. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 25, 58–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canetto, S. S., & Lester, D. (1998). Gender, culture, and suicidal behavior. Transcultural Psychiatry, 35, 163–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canetto, S. S., & Sakinofsky, I. (1998). The gender paradox in suicide. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 28,1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cato, J. E., & Canetto, S. S. (2003). Young adults' reactions to gay and lesbian peers who became suicidal following "coming out" to their parents. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 33, 201–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cochran, S. D. (2001). Emerging issues in research on lesbians' and gay men's mental health: Does sexual orientation matter? American Psychologist, 56, 931–947.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, E. P. (1985). Psychological androgyny. New York: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlen, E. R., & Canetto, S. S. (1996, April). The role of gender and context in attitudes toward nonfatal suicidal behavior. Paper presented at the 29th Annual Conference of the American Association of Suicidology, St. Louis, MO.

  • Dahlen, E. R., & Canetto, S. S. (2002). The role of gender and suicide precipitant in attitudes toward nonfatal suicidal behavior. Death Studies, 26, 99–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Augelli, A. R., Hershberger, S. L., & Pilkington, N. W. (1998). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and their families: Disclosure of sexual orientation and its consequences. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 68, 361–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • D'Augelli, A. R., Hershberger, S. L., & Pilkington, N. W. (2001). Suicidality patterns and sexual orientation-related factors among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 31, 250–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deluty, R. H. (1988–1989a). Physical illness, psychiatric illness, and the acceptability of suicide. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 19, 79–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deluty, R. H. (1988–1989b). Factors affecting the acceptability of suicide. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 19, 315–326.

    Google Scholar 

  • Droogas, A., Siiter, R., & O'Connell, A. N. (1982–1983). Effects of personal and situational factors of attitudes toward suicide. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 13, 127–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, J. B., & Hirsch, J. K. (1995). Attitudes of traditional and non-traditional college students towards suicide. College Student Journal, 29, 445–447.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, J. B., & Range, L. M. (1988). Femininity and reasons for living. Educational and Psychological Research, 8, 19–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eskin, M. (1995). Adolescents' attitudes toward suicide, and a suicidal peer: A comparison between Swedish and Turkish high school students. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 36, 201–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, L. K., & Deluty, R. H. (1992). Attitudes of clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and oncologists toward suicide. Social Behavior and Personality, 20, 289–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmreich, R. L., Spence, J. T., & Wilhelm, J. A. (1981). A psychometric analysis of the Personal Attitudes Questionnaire. Sex Roles, 7, 1097–1108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hershberger, S. L., & D'Augelli, A. R. (1995). The impact of victimization on the mental health and suicidality of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. Developmental Psychology, 31, 65–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, E., & Ellis, J. B. (1995). Situational analysis of attitudes toward suicide behavior. Death Studies, 19, 269–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kral, M. (1998). Suicide and the internalization of culture: Three questions. Transcultural Psychiatry, 35, 221–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lester, D., Guerriero, J. M., & Wachter, S. M. (1991). The suicide attitude vignette experience (SAVE): A search for sexual stereotypes in the perception of suicidal behavior. Death Studies, 15, 435–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linehan, M. M. (1973). Suicide and attempted suicide: Study of perceived sex differences. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 37, 31–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lo Presto, C. T., Sherman, M. F., & DiCarlo, M. A. (1994–1995). Factors affecting the unacceptability of suicide and the effects of evaluator depression and religiosity. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 30, 205–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marks, A. (1988–1989). Structural parameters of sex, race, age, and education and their influence on attitudes toward suicide. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 19, 327–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDaniel, J. S., Purcell, D., & D'Augelli, A. R. (2001). The relationship between sexual orientation and risk for suicide: Research findings and future directions for research and prevention. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 31(Suppl.), 84–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Range, L. M., & Martin, S. K. (1990). How knowledge of extenuating circumstances influences community reactions toward suicide victims and their bereaved families. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 21, 191–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Remafedi, G., Farrow, J. A., & Deisher, R. W. (1991). Risk factors for attempted suicide in gay and bisexual youth. Pediatrics, 87, 869–875.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rotheram-Borus, M. J., & Fernandez, M. I. (1995). Sexual orientation and developmental challenges experienced by gay and lesbian youths. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 25(Suppl.), 26–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubinstein, D. H. (1987). Cultural patterns and contagion: Epidemic suicide among Micronesian youth. In A. B. Robillard & A. Marsella (Eds.), Contemporary issues in mental health: Research in the Pacific Islands (pp. 127–148). Honolulu: Social Science Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, G. M., Bohan, J. S., & Lilly, D. (2000). Queer youth: Old stories, new stories. In S. L. Jones (Ed.), A sea of stories: The shaping power of narrative in gay and lesbian cultures (pp. 69–92). New York: Harrington Park Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, S. T., & Joyner, K. (2001). Adolescent sexual orientation and suicide risk: Evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 1276–1281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safren, S. A., & Heimberg, R. G. (1999). Depression, hopelessness, suicidality, and related factors in sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 859–866.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saulnier, C. F. (1998). Prevalence of suicide attempts and suicide ideation among lesbian and gay youth. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 8, 51–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, B. K., Williams, J. S., & Ryther, B. J. (1986). Public approval of suicide: A situational analysis. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 16, 409–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spence, J. T., & Helmreich, R. L. (1978). Masculinity and femininity: Their psychological dimensions, correlates, and antecedents. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stillion, J. M., McDowell, E. E., & Shamblin, J. B. (1984). The suicide attitude vignette experience: A method for measuring adolescent attitudes toward suicide. Death Education, 8, 65–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stillion, J. M., McDowell, E. E., Smith, R. T., & McCoy, P. A. (1986). Relationships between suicide attitudes and indicators of mental health among adolescents. Death Studies, 10, 289–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stillion, J. M., & Stillion, B. D. (1998–1999). Attitudes toward suicide: Past, present and future. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 38, 77–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stillion, J. M., White, H., Edwards, P. J., & McDowell, E. E. (1989). Ageism and sexism in suicide attitudes. Death Studies, 13, 247–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Public Health Service. (1999). The Surgeon General's call to action to prevent suicide. Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • vanWinkle, D., Calhoun, L. G., Cann, A., & Tedeschi, R. (1998). Social reactions to attempted suicide: The effects of gender and physical attractiveness. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 37, 89–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellman, M. M., & Wellman, R. J. (1986). Sex differences in peer responsiveness to suicide ideation. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 16, 360–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westefeld, J. S., Whitchard, K. A., & Range, L. M. (1990). College and university student suicide: Trends and implications. Counseling Psychologist, 18, 464–476.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, H., & Stillion, J. M. (1988). Sex differences in attitudes toward suicide: Do males stigmatize males? Psychology of Women Quarterly, 12, 357–366.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado

    Jennifer Ellen Cato & Silvia Sara Canetto

Authors
  1. Jennifer Ellen Cato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Silvia Sara Canetto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Silvia Sara Canetto.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cato, J.E., Canetto, S.S. Attitudes and Beliefs About Suicidal Behavior When Coming Out Is the Precipitant of the Suicidal Behavior. Sex Roles 49, 497–505 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025880622932

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025880622932

Search

Navigation