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This book investigates the historical and current literature regarding the underlying psychological factors for high suicidal behavior rates among transgender population. This theoretical research reviews the current known risk and protective factors for suicide among the general public in comparison to those of the transgender population. The complex and many risk and protective factors appear to be interrelated. The study explores the connection to violence, victimization and discrimination against transgender people as a prevalent and significant risk factor within transgender population. Applying the lens of the interpersonal theory of suicide to specific transgender risk factors for completed suicide allows for an in-depth exploration of the underlying psychological factors that drive a higher probability of suicidal behavior among this population. This research has found a strong link between transgender suicide and psychological factors driven significantly by prevalent transphobic and gender-based violence. The violence that is predictive of suicide risk in the transgender population is discrimination and victimization, which needs to stop.
About the author
Dr. Wallis, MSW, LCSW,is licensed in California and earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from California Southern University. Prof. Pardo supervises doctoral research at the same institution. Dr. Wallis has dedicated her professional career to suicide prevention, forensic mental health care and treatment, and LGBT+ issues.
