Gay children and suicidality: the importance of professional nurturance.
Suicidality among young people is a global concern, with international studies demonstrating an increased prevalence among young gay men. Being gay is not inevitably linked to mental illness, but growing up gay in a heterosexist society can compromise mental well being. This qualitative study, using free association narrative interviewing, offers an in-depth understanding of gay men's experience. One shared experience that emerged was "knowing and not knowing," the story of gay children growing up in a heterosexist society. This story provides valuable insights for mental health nurses becoming more attuned to the importance of providing professional nurturing of gay children.
University of Salford, School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work, Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. s.mcandrew@salford.ac.uk
Sue
S
McAndrew
Tony
T
Warne
D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D005608:Free Association; D020010:Heterosexuality; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D033262:Narration; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011287:Prejudice; D011574:Psychoanalytic Theory; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D013240:Stereotyping; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention