When comparing transgender youth who reported having attempted suicide with those who had not, researchers found that the youth who had attempted suicide had experienced more physical and verbal abuse from their parents (Grossman and D’Augelli, 2007).
While not the subject of this article, The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning youth. If you or a friend are feeling lost or alone call The Trevor Helpline. There is hope. There is help.
866-4-U-TREVOR
(866-488-7486)
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (2008)
Suicide Suicide risk and prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.
Newton, MA: Education Development Center, Inc.
There is a paucity of research on suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation among transgender youth. A recent study focused on transgender youth age 15 to 21. Of transgender youth participating in the study, 45 percent had thought seriously of killing themselves, and half of these said their thoughts were related to their transgender status. When comparing transgender youth who reported having attempted suicide with those who had not, researchers found that the youth who had attempted suicide had experienced more physical and verbal abuse from their parents.
One study that was not restricted to young people found that 83 percent of transgender people had thought about suicide and 54 percent had attempted it (Dean et al., 2000). In another study that surveyed transgender people of all ages, about one third (30.1 percent) of respondents reported at least one suicide attempt (Kenagy, 2005). A study of transgender people over the age of 18 found that 32 percent had attempted suicide. This study found that the risk factors associated with attempted suicide among transgender people were younger age (under 25), depression or a history of substance abuse, forced sex, and gender-based victimization and discrimination (Clements-Nolle, Marx, & Katz, 2006). Although these studies were not restricted to youth, all of them found high attempt rates for transgender people.
While little research exists on transgender people and suicidal behavior, it is reasonable to hypothesize that transgender youth—in common with LGB youth—have elevated risk and lower protective factors for suicidal behavior. Transgender youth often exhibit gender non-conformity and are presumed by others to be LGB even if they do not identify as such. Transgender youth also experience high rates of rejection and physical and verbal abuse at the hands of their parents (Grossman, D’Augelli, Howell, & Hubbard, 2005). Grossman and D’Augelli have summarized the experiences of transgender youth as indicated in recent research—victimization by their peers, negative parental reactions, substance abuse, and family violence—as similar to those of their LGB counterparts, who have higher rates of suicidal behavior.
The entire report is available at the SPRC website.
