The Impact of Intersectional Discrimination on Suicidality in an Adult Life Course Sample

We investigated how different forms of intersectional discrimination-that is, discrimination based on "who you are"-contribute to suicidality across the adult lifespan. We focused on the mediating role of depressive symptoms and explored whether human connection (operationalized as social network size) acts as a potential moderator.

Data were from 1,570 Australian adults (M_age = 52.9, range = 18-93, 72.9% female) participating in the Resilient Minds study. Discrimination was measured on the Intersectional Discrimination Index, capturing anticipated, day-to-day, and major discrimination in the past year and lifetime. Suicide ideation and attempts in the past year were measured using binary items (yes/no). Depressive symptoms and social network size were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and Lubben Social Network Scale, respectively. Logistic regressions and moderated mediation models (Hayes' PROCESS macro) were conducted to explore the associations.

Anticipated (OR = 1.64, p < .001), day-to-day (past year) (OR = 1.62, p < .001), and major (lifetime) (OR = 1.24, p < .001) discrimination were significantly associated with suicide ideation. Only day-to-day (past year) discrimination was associated with suicide attempts (OR = 2.99, p < .001). These associations were partially mediated by heightened depressive symptoms. Although the size of one's close social network was not found to be a moderator of the discrimination-suicidality associations, a larger social network reduced the effect of discrimination on depressive symptoms.

The current results support the role of intersectional discrimination as a risk factor for suicide ideation and attempts, partly through increased depressive symptoms. Reducing persistent day-to-day discrimination and promoting human connection may be important targets for future suicide prevention strategies.