Abstract

Objective

This study aims to understand the processes underlying self-harmful thoughts and behaviors, with and without suicidal intent, among LGBTQ+ young people.

Method

Nineteen semi-structured interviews took place between October 2019 and May 2020. Participants were aged between 16 and 25 years, had experiences of self-harm ideation and behaviors, and were part of the LGBTQ+ umbrella. A range of sexualities and gender identities were represented: eleven participants were cisgender, six were transgender and two were non-binary. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and anonymised. Thematic analysis and reflective member-checking were used to develop a thematic framework.

Results

Three themes were developed from the interviews and evaluated by four participants who engaged with reflective member-checking. Findings indicated that internal processes and external responses to being LGBTQ+ resulted in self-harmful thoughts and behaviors. Alongside these, additional stressors related to being a young person were led to difficulties with self-harm.

Conclusions

Findings from this study indicate that young people often struggle with accepting their LGBTQ+ identity for a number of reasons, whether this is due to access to a resource or their own feelings about their identity. These negative self-perceptions can be enhanced by poor responses from others and additional life stressors which impact their self-esteem or self-perception.

• HIGHLIGHTS

• Understanding and accepting that one is LGBTQ+ is not always a simple process, struggling with these thoughts can influence self-harm.

• Lack of LGBTQ+ terminology hinders self-acceptance and caused young people to engage with self-harm.

• Peers and family members responses to a young people’s LGBTQ+ identity is highly significant and can directly led to self-harmful thoughts and experiences.

中文翻译：

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了解 LGBTQ+ 年轻人自我伤害观念和行为背后的过程：一项定性研究

摘要

客观的

本研究旨在了解 LGBTQ+ 年轻人中有和没有自杀意图的自残思想和行为背后的过程。

方法

2019 年 10 月至 2020 年 5 月期间进行了 19 次半结构化访谈。参与者年龄在 16 至 25 岁之间，有过自残想法和行为经历，属于 LGBTQ+ 群体。代表了一系列的性取向和性别认同：11 名参与者是顺性别的，6 名是跨性别的，2 名是非二元性别的。采访被逐字记录并匿名。主题分析和反思成员检查被用来开发一个主题框架。

结果

三个主题是从访谈中发展出来的，并由四名参与反思性成员检查的参与者进行了评估。调查结果表明，作为 LGBTQ+ 的内部过程和外部反应导致了自我伤害的想法和行为。除此之外，与年轻人相关的额外压力源导致了自我伤害的困难。

结论

这项研究的结果表明，年轻人常常出于多种原因难以接受他们的 LGBTQ+ 身份，无论是由于获得资源还是他们自己对自己身份的感受。其他人的不良反应和影响他们自尊或自我认知的其他生活压力因素会加剧这些消极的自我认知。

• 强调

• 理解和接受一个人是 LGBTQ+ 并不总是一个简单的过程，与这些想法作斗争可能会影响自我伤害。

• 缺乏 LGBTQ+ 术语会阻碍自我接纳并导致年轻人进行自我伤害。

• 同龄人和家庭成员对年轻人 LGBTQ+ 身份的反应非常重要，可以直接导致自我伤害的想法和经历。