Predicting and preventing suicide risk in the LGBTQ+ population: the role of community and authenticity

LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionate suicide risk due to stigma, discrimination, and early life adversity. This study, led by Colette Vaughan as part of her undergraduate independent study at SUNY Old Westbury (now an alumna), examined whether positive identity traits—like authenticity and community belonging—can mitigate suicide risk in LGBTQ+ adults with histories of childhood adversity. The findings suggest that community support plays a critical protective role, especially when paired with authentic self-expression, offering important implications for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention efforts.

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This manuscript is currently in-press at the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, entitled "The Power of Protective Factors to Mitigate LGBTQ+ Suicide Risk: Improving positive aspects of one's identity in a vacuum is not enough"