Overt Heterosexist Discrimination and Homonegative Microaggressions in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, and Other Nonheterosexual Adults: Interpersonal Pathways to Suicidal Ideation

Previous research indicates that both minority stressors and interpersonal factors may facilitate increased risk for suicidal ideation (SI) among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and other nonheterosexual (LGB+) individuals. These studies examined the potential indirect effects of two interpersonal factors, thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, on the associations that overt heterosexist discrimination and homonegative microaggressions share with SI. Percentile bootstrapped parallel indirect effects models were tested on a sample of 320 LGB+ community members between the ages of 18 and 74 (M = 30.98, SD = 7.15; Study 1) and a sample of 139 LGB+ college students between the ages of 18 and 39 (M = 20.12, SD = 3.03; Study 2). Results showed that perceived burdensomeness fully accounted for the association between heterosexist discrimination and SI in Study 1; however, this model lacked causal specificity. In Study 2, perceived burdensomeness fully accounted for the association between homonegative microaggressions and SI. Thwarted belongingness did not significantly account for any relationships. These findings suggest that perceived burdensomeness, over thwarted belongingness, is an important consequence of experiencing discrimination, particularly regarding its relationship with SI. Results also highlight microaggressions as an especially pernicious form of discrimination that potentially relates to internalized homophobia. Treatment, public health, and policy implications are discussed.