Media attacks on the LGBTQ+ community may increase suicide risk among LGBTQ+ young adults

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-09-17 01:00

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***This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline (Aus) on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Lifeline (NZ) on 0800 543 354. ***
A small US and Canadian study of 31 young LGBTQ+ adults from Tennessee, USA, with an average age of 21 found being exposed to negative news or media about the LGBTQ+ community resulted in an increase in thoughts about suicide and self-harm. The participants reported on recent exposure to negative news or media, including no exposure, exposure to general negative news, and exposure to negative news about the LGBTQ+ community. They also reported on thoughts of suicide and self-harm, completing three assessments per day for 28 consecutive days, resulting in a total of 2,189 assessments. The team found exposure to negative news or media about the LGBTQ+ community, but not generally negative news or media, was linked with more thoughts about suicide or self-harm in the hours following exposure.

Media release

From: JAMA

Real-Time Exposure to Negative News Media and Suicidal Ideation Intensity Among LGBTQ+ Young Adults

About The Study: This intensive longitudinal cohort study found that suicidal ideation intensity modestly increased in the hours immediately following exposure to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) negative news or media among LGBTQ+ young adults. These findings have timely implications for research and intervention, particularly within sociopolitical and geographic contexts where news or media coverage about LGBTQ+ topics is intensified.

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Research JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo ends

Editorial / Opinion JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo ends

Journal/
conference: JAMA Pediatrics

Research: Link to Paper 1 | Paper 2

Organisation/s: Vanderbilt University, USA

Funder: This study was funded by the US National Institute of Mental Health (K01MH125073).

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