Psychosocial determinants of suicidal ideation among men who have sex with men
1
Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, yet minority populations including MSM remain disproportionately affected. They continued to experience increased risk of mental disorders, alongside stigma, discrimination, and limited access to mental health services, which elevate the risk of suicidal ideation. This study aimed to examine the multifactorial determinants of suicidal ideation among MSM integrating other health conditions, and behavioural and social factors.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted. Suicidal ideation was assessed across three timeframes: lifetime, most down time, and the past week. Health conditions (depression, PTSD, HIV and other STI status), and behavioural and social factors (alcohol use, sexual risk behaviours, and experience of violence and perceived social support) were tested using standardised scales. Descriptive analyses, logistic and linear regression models, and path analysis were used to examine both single-factor and multifactorial associations with suicidal ideation.
RESULTS:
A total of 375 MSM provided completed data. Overall, suicidal ideation was reported in 150 participants in lifetime, 148 in most depressed period, and 84 in the past week. Younger age, lower education and lower income were associated with higher suicidal ideation. Participants reporting suicidal ideation had substantially higher score on depression and PTSD, greater alcohol use and sexual risk behaviours, and lower social support. Depression showed the strongest association with suicidal ideation. PTSD symptoms were markedly correlated with depressive symptoms but were not independently associated with past-week suicidal ideation in multivariable analysis. HIV-positive status, hazardous alcohol use, exposure to violence, and low social support were also associated with increased suicidal ideation risk.
CONCLUSIONS:
Suicidal ideation was highly prevalent among MSM and was most strongly associated with depressive symptoms. Suicide prevention strategies for MSM should prioritise the identification and intervention of depression, strengthening family and social support, reducing exposure to violence, and addressing underlying social and economic stressors.
Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, yet minority populations including MSM remain disproportionately affected. They continued to experience increased risk of mental disorders, alongside stigma, discrimination, and limited access to mental health services, which elevate the risk of suicidal ideation. This study aimed to examine the multifactorial determinants of suicidal ideation among MSM integrating other health conditions, and behavioural and social factors.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted. Suicidal ideation was assessed across three timeframes: lifetime, most down time, and the past week. Health conditions (depression, PTSD, HIV and other STI status), and behavioural and social factors (alcohol use, sexual risk behaviours, and experience of violence and perceived social support) were tested using standardised scales. Descriptive analyses, logistic and linear regression models, and path analysis were used to examine both single-factor and multifactorial associations with suicidal ideation.
RESULTS:
A total of 375 MSM provided completed data. Overall, suicidal ideation was reported in 150 participants in lifetime, 148 in most depressed period, and 84 in the past week. Younger age, lower education and lower income were associated with higher suicidal ideation. Participants reporting suicidal ideation had substantially higher score on depression and PTSD, greater alcohol use and sexual risk behaviours, and lower social support. Depression showed the strongest association with suicidal ideation. PTSD symptoms were markedly correlated with depressive symptoms but were not independently associated with past-week suicidal ideation in multivariable analysis. HIV-positive status, hazardous alcohol use, exposure to violence, and low social support were also associated with increased suicidal ideation risk.
CONCLUSIONS:
Suicidal ideation was highly prevalent among MSM and was most strongly associated with depressive symptoms. Suicide prevention strategies for MSM should prioritise the identification and intervention of depression, strengthening family and social support, reducing exposure to violence, and addressing underlying social and economic stressors.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
