(PS8-30) Adverse Childhood Experiences and Suicide Outcomes Among Bi+ Adults

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are disproportionately affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) compared to non-SGM individuals, and exposure to ACEs is related to poorer mental health, including suicide outcomes in adulthood. There is some evidence that bisexual and other multi-gender attracted (bi+) individuals are more likely to experience ACEs than both heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals, which may help to explain their increased vulnerability to poor mental health. Still, little is known about the role of ACEs in suicide outcomes among bi+ individuals. To address this gap, this study examined the prevalence of ACEs and the associations between the number of ACEs reported with lifetime and past six-month suicide ideation, planning, and attempt among bi+ adults.

This study used baseline data from an ongoing longitudinal study of 502 bi+ adults (ages 18-70) (M=28.57). Participants completed the ACES-Revised scale, which expands the original 10-item scale by including 4 additional items (peer victimization, peer isolation/rejection, community violence exposure, and low socioeconomic status). Lifetime and past six-month suicide behaviors were assessed as part of the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview-Revised. Logistic regression was used to test the associations between the number of ACEs reported with lifetime and past six-month suicide ideation, planning, and attempt.

The number of ACEs endorsed ranged from 0-14 (M=4.74, SD=3.44). The most common ACEs were isolation/rejection (74.1%), severe mental illness in one’s household (56%), and verbal abuse (54.4%). Experiencing more ACEs was significantly associated with lifetime suicide ideation (OR=1.52, 95%CI [1.38, 1.67]), planning (OR=1.28, 95%CI [1.21, 1.37]), and attempt (OR=1.30, 95%CI [1.22, 1.39]). Similarly, experiencing more ACEs was also significantly associated with past 6-month suicide ideation (OR=1.14, 95%CI [1.09,1.21]), planning (OR=1.14, 95%CI [1.06, 1.23]), and attempt (OR=1.32, 95%CI [1.06, 1.64]).

Findings highlight the extremely high prevalence of ACEs among bi+ adults and that experiencing more ACEs is associated with a higher risk for suicide-related outcomes. Further research is needed to examine whether ACEs help to explain the mental health disparities between bi+ individuals and both heterosexual and gay/lesbian individuals. Clinicians need to be aware of how common it is for bi+ people to have histories of ACEs and to consider their potential influence on current mental health concerns.