Date of Award
7-12-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Program
Clinical Psychology
First Advisor
Lucas Torres
Second Advisor
Debra Oswald
Third Advisor
Ed de St. Aubin
Abstract
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with LGBQ Latinx adults showing higher risk for suicidality and related mental health outcomes. Experiences of discrimination, including heterosexism and ethnic discrimination, are often connected to increased risk for suicidal ideation. In addition to intersectional experiences of discrimination, LGBQ Latinx people often feel an incompatibility between their sexuality and ethnic identity, known as conflicts in allegiances (CIA), possibly increasing risk of suicidal ideation. It remains unclear what mechanisms connect intersectional discrimination and suicidal ideation. The current study expands on intersectional research by utilizing the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) to examine how experiences of intersectional discrimination along with CIA contribute to developing thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and, in turn, heightened suicidal ideation. A sample of 100 LGBQ Latinx adults completed self-report measures assessing experiences of intersectional discrimination, feelings of conflicts of allegiances, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation. Moderated-mediational analyses were conducted to examine the ability of IPTS constructs (thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness) to mediate the relationship between intersectional discrimination and suicidal ideation, while also considering the moderating influence of CIA on the intersectional discrimination – IPTS constructs pathway. Results for the moderated-mediational model were non-significant. However, post-hoc analyses revealed notable findings regarding the moderating ability of CIA on the relationship between day-to-day discrimination and thwarted belongingness. Results extend previous research by contributing to the understanding of the unique intersectional experience of LGBQ Latinx people and how it may contribute to risk factors for suicidal ideation, specifically thwarted belongingness. The current study is the first to examine the role of CIA utilizing an IPTS framework.