Finding Order in Chaos: Accounting for Variation in Estimates of Suicidality Among Transgender Adults

Abstract

This study, which uses a mixed methods design, within the framework of methodological triangulated design, examined the impact of 5 research variables (ethnicity, gender identity/sex at birth, education, suicidality questions, inclusion criteria) on variation in estimates of transgender suicidality; an inquiry largely absent from existing literature. I did so by collecting and examining qualitative and quantitative data over three separate stages (collecting statistical transgender suicidality data, collecting interview data, and analyzing the impact of these 5 variables on suicidality, using this data). I found that high educational attainment doesn’t protect against suicidality, Black/African American ethnicity may, and that individuals assigned female at birth ideate less and attempt more than those assigned male at birth. These findings have utility for creating transgender-specific therapeutic treatment, legislative advocacy, and better research, which might focus on the effect of minority stress theory and suicidality protection/resilience factors to transgender individuals and communities.