Gender Differences in Risks of Suicide and Suicidal Behaviors in the USA: A Narrative Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review recent research (2018-2023) on gender differences in suicidal behaviors (i.e., suicidal ideations and attempts, death by suicide). We examine research studies in the following areas: developmental period, substance use, and special populations (Veterans, sexual and gender minorities). RECENT FINDINGS: Novel results were found in these different areas. For example, suicide rates for female youth are increasing at a faster rate relative to male youth. Further, some evidence suggests that heavy alcohol use/binge drinking is a significant and growing risk factor for suicidal behaviors in women. Military service may be a more significant risk factor for suicidal behaviors among male Veterans compared to female Veterans. Additionally, suicide rates are rising for gender minority youth/young adults. Recent research on gender differences in suicide outcomes demonstrates findings that align with previous research, as well as new insights on this important topic.

Clinical outcomes of veterans affairs residential PTSD treatment for PTSD and depressive symptoms: 1-year follow-up outcomes and gender differences.

OBJECTIVE: The long-term effectiveness of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) residential treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and how it may vary for men and women veterans, is unknown. This is the first national investigation of symptom change from admission, discharge, 4 months, and 1-year postdischarge from VA PTSD residential rehabilitation treatment programs (RRTPs). METHOD: Participants included all veterans discharged from 40 VA PTSD RRTPs October 1, 2017-September 30, 2020 (n = 2,937; 14.3% women). Linear mixed models examined PTSD and depressive symptoms across time points; it was hypothesized that women veterans would experience greater symptom reduction during and after treatment. RESULTS: Overall, veterans reported large-sized reductions of PTSD symptoms at all time points (Cohen's d: discharge = 1.23, 4-month follow-up d = 0.97, 1-year follow-up d = 1.51). Treatment effects for depressive symptoms were large-sized at all time points (Cohen's d; discharge = 1.03, 4-month follow-up d = 0.94, 1-year follow-up d = 1.05). Women veterans showed greater improvement in PTSD and depressive symptom severity (p < .001) than men at discharge, but not at 4-month or 1-year follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans reported significant reductions in PTSD and depressive symptoms, and treatment gains were maintained one year postdischarge. Women experienced greater benefit during, but not after, treatment. Results not only provide support for the effectiveness of VA residential treatment for PTSD but also highlight the continued need for strategies to maximize and maintain treatment gains. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Religious-Based Sexual Stigma and Psychological Health: Roles of Internalization, Religious Struggle, and Religiosity.

The current study examined potential mediators (i.e., internalized heterosexism and religious struggle), moderators (i.e., religiosity), and moderated mediation of the links between experiences of enacted religious-based sexual stigma and both psychological distress and wellbeing. Participants were 193 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons who were currently affiliated with a faith/religion and who completed an online survey. Participants were recruited through paid Facebook advertisements and research announcements sent to a variety of LGB-related Listservs, organizations, and Internet resources. Results from the mediation analyses revealed that religious-based sexual stigma was indirectly related to more psychological distress and less wellbeing via more internalized heterosexism and greater religious struggle. Findings from the moderated-mediation analyses revealed a significant conditional indirect effect, in which the indirect effects of religious-based sexual stigma on both psychological distress and wellbeing via internalized stigma were significant at moderate and high, but not low, levels of religiosity. This finding suggests that lower religiosity plays a buffering or protective role, whereas higher religiosity plays an intensifying role. The results of this study underscore the importance of targeting enacted and internalized sexual stigma-related stressors and religiosity factors to improve the psychological health of religiously identified LGB persons.

Predictors of disordered eating and acceptance of cosmetic surgery among drag queen performers.

In this study, we examined the relations between drag queens' gendered performance styles and body change attitudes and behaviors. We also examined potential mediating and moderating variables in these links via two moderated mediation models. Participants consisted of 192 drag queen performers who completed a web-based survey. Hyper-feminine but not gender fluid drag was positively related to disordered eating, acceptance of cosmetic surgery, internalization of cultural standards of beauty, and upward appearance comparison. Both internalization of cultural standards of beauty and upward appearance comparison mediated the hyper-feminine drag and disordered eating link. Beauty internalization also mediated the hyper-feminine drag and acceptance of cosmetic surgery link but upward appearance comparison did not. We discovered two significant conditional indirect effects, in which the indirect effect of the hyper-feminine drag on both disordered eating and acceptance of cosmetic surgery via internalization of cultural standards of beauty were stronger for those with high levels of drag identity salience. Finally, we found a conditional direct effect, where hyper-feminine drag predicted acceptance of cosmetic surgery among drag queens with high and average levels of drag identity salience but not low levels.