Understanding psycho-social issues associated with suicidal attempt among male homosexuals

Abstract

Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction between individuals of the same gender. Many researchers, psychologists, and scientists have neglected to focus attention on heterosexual relationship growth and development because it is considered "normal". However, more attention and studies have been placed on homosexuality and identity formation among gays and lesbians because of the controversy that has always embraced such preferences. They were living in the society but not leading their life like mainstream peoples. Several studies found that being gay itself is not the cause of the increase in suicide; the increased risk comes from the psycho-social distress associated with being gay. Suicide attempts were found to have been significantly associated with psychosocial stressors such as gender non conformity, early awareness of being gay, victimization, lack of support, family problems, homelessness, substance abuse, feeling like a victim, feelings of rejections, loss, loneliness, bullying, verbally harassed ,discrimination, physical violence and other psychiatric disorders. The present study was aimed at understanding psycho-social issues associated with suicidal attempt among male homosexualsand attempted to answer two questions. Firstly, why male homosexuals attempt suicide? Another one was -what psychosocial issues are associated with suicidal attempt among male homosexuals. . The findings of this study will provide a clear idea and will help to develop appropriate and clear picture of which psychosocial issues lead to suicide among homosexuals because there is not sufficient research on this area in Bangladesh. In this context, grounded theory approaches of qualitative design was used to explore what psychosocial factors associated with suicidal attempt among male homosexuals and to investigate the process among those factors.