Preferences in Information Processing, Marginalized Identity, and Non-Monogamy: Understanding Factors in Suicide-Related Behavior among Members of the Alternative Sexuality Community

Robert J. Cramer, Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling, Andrea R. Kaniuka, Corrine N. Wilsey, Annelise Mennicke, Susan Wright, Erika Montanaro, Jessamyn Bowling and Kristin E. Heron
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Robert J. Cramer: Department of Public Health Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28233 USA
Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling: Department of Psychological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28233, USA
Andrea R. Kaniuka: Department of Public Health Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28233 USA
Corrine N. Wilsey: Department of Public Health Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28233 USA
Annelise Mennicke: School of Social Work, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28233, USA
Susan Wright: National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
Erika Montanaro: Department of Psychological Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28233, USA
Jessamyn Bowling: Department of Public Health Sciences, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28233 USA
Kristin E. Heron: Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Suicide-related behavior (SRB) is a mental health disparity experienced by the alternative sexuality community. We assessed mental health, relationship orientation, marginalized identities (i.e., sexual orientation minority, gender minority, racial minority, ethnic minority, and lower education), and preferences in information processing (PIP) as factors differentiating lifetime SRB groups. An online cross-sectional survey study was conducted in 2018. Members of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF; n = 334) took part. Bivariate analyses identified the following SRB risk factors: female and transgender/gender non-binary identity, sexual orientation minority identity, lower education, suicide attempt/death exposure, Need for Affect (NFA) Avoidance, depression, and anxiety. Monogamous relationship orientation was a protective factor. Multi-nomial regression revealed the following: (1) monogamous relationship orientation was a protective factor for suicidal ideation and attempt; (2) lower education was a risk factor for suicide attempt; (3) anxiety was a risk factor for suicide attempt; and (4) depression was a risk factor for suicidal ideation. A two-way interaction showed that elevated NFA Approach buffered the negative impacts of depression. Relationship orientation, several marginalized identities (i.e., based on gender, sexual orientation, and educational level), and PIP all contributed uniquely to SRB. Further study is necessary to understand the role of relationship orientation with suicide. Health education and suicide prevention efforts with NCSF should be tailored to account for marginalized identity, mental health, and NFA factors.

Keywords: suicide; non-monogamy; Need for Affect; Need for Cognition; depression; information processing; national coalition for sexual freedom (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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