Work

Childhood sexual abuse, concealment, and suicidality in gay Black and Latinx men.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: = 127), we examined whether three types of CSA (unwanted touching, coerced sexual contact, and coerced sexual intercourse) predicted suicidal behavior and whether sexual identity concealment moderated these effects. METHOD: Data were drawn from Wave 1 of the generations study and included 127 Black and Latinx cisgender gay men. Hierarchical logistic regression models tested associations between CSA types and lifetime suicidal behavior. Models controlled for age, income, education, psychological distress, and felt stigma and tested CSA × Sexual Identity Concealment interaction effects. RESULTS: = .099). Psychological distress independently predicted suicidality across models. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest identity concealment may heighten suicide risk following severe CSA and underscore the burden of distress among Black and Latinx gay men. Clinically, results highlight the importance of assessing trauma severity and concealment-related stress when evaluating suicide risk and suggest that interventions aimed at reducing concealment-driven distress may be critical for survivors of coerced sexual intercourse. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy

DOI: 10.1037/tra0002269

Authors: Billy P. Hayes, Manuel F. Ramirez

Institution: University of California, Los Angeles

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Institutes of Health