The intersection between youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and emergency care for suicidality: an integrative review

Suicide is a leading cause of death in children. Sexual minority youth are greater than three times more likely to attempt suicide than their cisgender heterosexual peers.

Empirical and theoretical literature were evaluated through the integrative review process using the Whittemore-Knafl integrative review model (2005). Studies were included when they addressed LGBTQ+ youth seeking emergency care for suicidality.

The final sample included a mix of 13 qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies published in peer-review journals between 2011 and 2020. These articles were located in journals found through a database search, including Medline EBSCO, Health Source/Nursing Academic Education, SportDiscus, ERIC EBSCO, Academic Search Elite, Social Services Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, APA Psych Info, Embase, and CINAHL.

Thirteen studies included individuals 5 to 26 years of age; ten studies included individuals > 11 years old. The analysis and synthesis of coded and grouped data resulted in four themes: 1) affirmation/acceptance, 2) strength, 3) approach/intervention, and 4) safety/psychological distress.

Research study methods, design, setting, and quality varied. This integrative review has established that youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and are seeking emergency care for suicidality, value: acceptance, safety, strength, and approach/intervention.

There are strong implications for research, healthcare policy, and pediatric nursing practice. Future research is needed to explore the unique values, beliefs, and experiences of youth who identify as LGBTQ+ seeking emergency/crisis care for suicidality.