(PS1-C65) From and for Folks: Relationships Between Forms of Social Support and Suicidal Thinking in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals endorse higher rates of historical suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) compared to their cisgender peers (Moody & Smith, 2013). Most investigations into this disparity focus on the role of risk factors and minority stressors and consider the impact of protective factors for STBs (Wolford-Clevenger et al., 2018). Perceived social support from a variety of sources appear to reduce the impact of suicide risk factors in cisgender populations (Cutrona & Russell, 1987) and TGD individuals (Puckett et al., 2019). Given the multidimensionality of social support, we examined the kinds of social support and where this support is provided in TGD adults which has yet to be considered.  Data analyzed in the current study were part of the 2017 Trans Lifeline Mental Health Survey. Self-identified transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults (N = 4147) completed an online, cross-sectional survey that included self-report measures on past-year suicidal ideation (yes/no answer format), perceived receipt of social support from others (e.g., family of origin and chosen family), mode of social support (e.g., primarily online and primarily offline), and perceived role of social support for others (e.g., an individual believes they provide support for someone else). Chi square analyses indicate that TGD individuals who reported support from both family of origin and chosen family (χ2 (3, N = 4147) = 112.74, p < .01; n = 711, 47.1%), receiving support from friends primarily offline (χ² (2, N = 4147) = 106.66, p < .01; n = 1364, 51.7%), and providing support to friends primarily offline (χ2 (2, N = 4147) = 72.3, p < .01; n = 1240, 52.1%). were less likely to report past-year SI. A logistic regression analysis further indicated that those who reported having both family and chosen family support and support from friends primarily offline were less likely to report past-year SI (Χ²(7) = 194.65, p < .001, Cox & Snell R² = .047, Nagelkerke R² = .063). Results demonstrate that TGD individuals may be protected from SI when they perceive social support from multiple relationships and sources. Incorporating family members within intervention efforts may mitigate future rejection behaviors and prejudicial attitudes from family including parents, siblings, other family members, and friends. As treatment may not be able to change attitudes of biological families, it is essential to help TGD individuals develop a wide range of truly supportive relationships. Clinicians might also continue to seek information on support options available to TGD individuals and work with TGD individuals to define their current support networks and how this network could thoughtfully be improved.