4 - (SYM 90) Family Rumors and Suicidal Ideation in LGB and Heterosexual Individuals

Stigmatized groups, such as individuals with serious mental illness and sexual minorities are at increased risk for suicidal ideation, attempts, and death by suicide (Lu et al., 2020; Miranda-Mendizábal et al., 2017). A meta-analysis found that as many as 20% of lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) adults have attempted suicide during their lifetime (Hottes et al., 2016), compared to a 4% lifetime prevalence for heterosexuals (Hottes et al., 2016). Rumors, spread though gossip, can act as a mechanism to spread information, aid in building reputation, and bolstering familial ties. However, gossip is also known to more frequently target those with less social status (Ellwardt et al., 2012). Among LGB men, research has found that gossip is associated with concealment of their sexual orientation to protect themselves from probable stigma and discrimination (Quinn et al., 2016). Thus, rumors may be particularly damaging for LGB individuals. In the current study, we hypothesized that greater family rumors (FR) will be associated with greater suicidal ideation (SI) and this will be moderated by sexual orientation such that this association will be stronger for LGB participants than for heterosexual participants.

 The current study examined associations between sexual orientation, SI, and prevalence of FR among 632 individuals (age: M= 28.34; Female= 63.1%, White=34.4%) using the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (van Spijker et al., 2014), and the Organizational Rumor Scale for Educational Institutions adapted for rumors in families (Dagli & Han, 2018). 

 As hypothesized, when SI was regressed on ethnicity, FR, sexual orientation, and the FR x sexual orientation interaction, the model was significant, F (4, 627) = 25.98, p< 0.001. Greater FR was associated with greater SI (B=.236, SE= .057, t= 4.164, p< .001). Sexual orientation was associated with SI (B= 4.45, SE= .817, t= 5.447, p< .001) such that LGB individuals had significantly higher SI. Finally, as hypothesized the interaction term was significant (B=.210, SE= .141, t= .182, p= .026). Follow-up conditional effects demonstrated the link between FR and SI was twice as strong for LGB individuals compared to non-LGB individuals.

The study results highlight the importance of family environment and assessing rumors, as rumors may increase risk of suicide. particularly for LGB individuals. Further research should examine the underlying mechanisms that link family rumors to SI, as pinpointing the central mechanisms could greatly improve prevention efforts to reduce SI and completed suicides.