Suicide Risk and Protective Factors for Sexual Minority College Students: A Latent Class Analysis

LGBTQ+ college students experience elevated suicide risk compared to cisgender and heterosexual peers. Drawing on intersectionality and minority stress theory this study explored suicide risk and protective factors within this population. Using data from the 2021-2022 Healthy Minds Study, a latent class analysis was conducted with a subsample of sexual minority students from institutions that completed the Brief Resilience Scale (N = 10,169) to identify subgroups based on race and ethnicity, gender minority status, suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB), identity-based discrimination, and related psychosocial variables. Three classes emerged: (1) Resilient, characterized by low suicide risk and high protective factors; (2) At-Risk, marked by elevated risk and STB; and (3) Discriminated-Against, defined by high levels identity-based discrimination. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between participant characteristics and class membership. Researchers should investigate the unique role of discrimination in shaping mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ people in higher education contexts.