What Kind of Support Do Families Provide to Sexual or Gender Minority Adolescents Experiencing Suicidal Distress? A Scoping Review

Abstract Book of the 5th International Conference on LGBT studies

Year: 2026

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What Kind of Support Do Families Provide to Sexual or Gender Minority Adolescents Experiencing Suicidal Distress? A Scoping Review

Rebecca Savard, Nathalie Maltais, Johanne Hébert

ABSTRACT:

My research project aims to understand the process of seeking help by families of adolescents aged 14 to 18 who are members of a sexual or gender minority (SGM) and are at risk of suicide. While social and family support has been identified as an important protective factor for these adolescents, few studies have focused on their families help-seeking and help-giving experiences. Because MSG adolescents are at higher risk of suicide than their heterosexual and cisgender peers, it is essential to understand how families navigate the process of seeking help in order to ensure adequate support that is tailored to their reality. By documenting the perceptions, needs, and barriers encountered by these families, this project will generate knowledge that can be used to reduce mental health inequalities, improve access to services, and support the development of interventions that are more gender-sensitive and better adapted to 2SLGBTQ+ realities.
As part of the 5th International Congress on LGBT Studies in Madrid, a poster presentation on the scoping review related to this master’s project will be given.
The scoping review explore what forms of support do families provide to sexual or gender minority adolescents experiencing suicidal distress.
Methodology: : Conduct a scoping review according to the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and the PRISMA-ScR method. The objective is to map existing knowledge on the forms of support that families offer to sexual or gender minority adolescents experiencing suicidal distress. A comprehensive search strategy was developed, including six databases (CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Érudit, Scopus) in French and English. A comprehensive research strategy was developed, including six databases
(CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, Érudit, Scopus), in French and English. Data extraction will be done using Covidence software, with a structured grid, and a descriptive thematic analysis was to be performed.

Keywords: Suicide Distress, Family Support, Youth, Sexual and Gender Minorities