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Sexual Fluidity, Connectedness, and Suicidal Thoughts Among Adolescents.
John Gunn1, Maria Warnick1, Lauryn Hoy1
1College of Arts, Science, and Professional Studies, Gwynedd Mercy University, Gwynedd Valley, PA, USA.
Crisis
|December 18, 2025
Summary
Sexual fluidity in adolescence is linked to suicidal thoughts, but this connection diminishes when considering social connectedness and school belonging. These factors appear to mediate the relationship, highlighting their protective role.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Sociology of Sexuality
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Sexual fluidity (SF) is prevalent in adolescence.
- Previous research links SF to psychological distress and suicidal thoughts (ST).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between SF and ST in adolescents.
- To examine the mediating roles of school belonging, social connectedness, and parental relationships.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Waves 1 and 2 data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (ADD Health).
- Categorization of participants into groups based on sexual identity at two time points: consistently heterosexual, SF sexual minority (SM) to heterosexual, SF heterosexual to SM, and SM at both waves.
- Hierarchical logistic regression and mediation analysis.
Main Results:
- Sexual fluidity was initially associated with ST, particularly in the consistently SM and heterosexual to SM groups.
- After controlling for social connectedness, school belonging, and parental relationships, the association between SF and ST was no longer significant for the heterosexual to SM group.
- Mediation analyses did not reveal significant indirect effects of SF on ST.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between sexual fluidity and suicidal thoughts in adolescents is not direct but is influenced by shared associations with belongingness and connectedness.
- Increased feelings of belonging and connectedness are associated with a reduced risk of suicidal thoughts.
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