Biological Mechanisms of Suicidal Behavior among Sexual Minority Adolescents

项目总结/摘要 自杀是青少年死亡的第二大原因， 表明29%的性少数青少年（SMA）在过去一年中曾试图自杀。惊人 在这一人群中自杀行为的高发生率可以部分归因于与同性恋有关的欺凌经历， 儿童受虐待的比例较高。然而，这种联系的机制 心理社会因素与SMA自杀之间的关系尚未研究。 拟议的调查将研究SMA中自杀行为的生物学机制。 研究人员最近确定了区分有风险的个体的生物学机制。 参与自杀行为，包括低头发皮质醇浓度（HCC）和高水平的炎症 生物标记生物学机制很有可能部分解释自杀行为的差异 SMA和非SMA之间，因为经历欺凌和童年虐待的人更有可能 证据表明青春期和成年期的生物失调。K 01研究将 研究生物学机制（HCC和炎症标志物）如何与同性恋相关 以及生物学机制如何预测自杀行为的临床和神经认知相关性 （自杀意念，冲动和决策）之间的SMA和非SMA。拟议的研究将 这是一项旨在更有效地识别有自杀风险的SMA的研究计划中的第一项 行为，并确定可以针对的心理社会，生物和神经认知因素， 旨在减少SMA和非SMA之间自杀行为的明显差异的干预措施。 为了启动这项研究计划，候选人将加强他在社会和 SMA健康的行为决定因素，并接受自杀行为生物学机制的培训， 纵向研究和分析纵向数据，以及自杀行为的神经认知相关性。他 在最佳的科学培训环境中拥有理想的指导团队，以开展拟议的 研究和培训计划。初级导师Nadine Melhem博士在生物学方面拥有丰富的专业知识， 自杀行为的机制和纵向研究方法。共同导师迈克尔马歇尔博士是一个 SMA心理健康差异专家，包括自杀倾向。候选人还将接受来自 内部顾问安娜玛莎博士，精神神经免疫学的主要学者，内部顾问博士。 Kehui Chen，统计学家，与Melhem博士和外部顾问Jeffrey博士持续合作 他在青少年自杀行为的神经认知风险方面贡献了专业知识。完成 拟议的研究和培训计划将使候选人成为SMA自杀方面的主要学者 行为，让他准备纵向研究青少年时期这种紧迫的心理健康差异， 多层次的分析。

Project Summary/Abstract Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents, and nationally representative data indicate 29% of sexual minority adolescents (SMAs) have attempted suicide during the past year. Alarmingly high rates of suicidal behavior in this population can be attributed, in part, to gay-related bullying experienced by SMAs and higher rates of childhood abuse among SMAs. However, mechanisms underlying the association between psychosocial factors and suicidality among SMAs remain unstudied. The proposed investigation will examine biological mechanisms of suicidal behavior among SMAs. Researchers have recently identified biological mechanisms which distinguish individuals who are at risk for engaging in suicidal behavior, including low hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and high levels of inflammatory biological markers. Biological mechanisms have high potential to partially explain suicidal behavior disparities between SMAs and non-SMAs, as individuals who experience bullying and childhood abuse are more likely to evidence biological dysregulation during adolescence and into adulthood. The proposed K01 study will examine how biological mechanisms (HCC and inflammatory markers) are associated with gay-related bullying, and how biological mechanisms predict clinical and neurocognitive correlates of suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation, impulsivity, and decision-making) among SMAs and non-SMAs. The proposed study will be the first in a program of research designed to facilitate more effective identification of SMAs at risk for suicidal behavior and identify psychosocial, biological, and neurocognitive factors which can be targeted within interventions designed to attenuate stark disparities in suicidal behavior between SMAs and non-SMAs. To launch this program of research, the candidate will augment his prior training in social and behavioral determinants of SMA health with training in biological mechanisms of suicidal behavior, conducting longitudinal research and analyzing longitudinal data, and neurocognitive correlates of suicidal behavior. He has an ideal mentorship team within an optimal scientific training environment to undertake the proposed research and training plans. Primary Mentor Dr. Nadine Melhem has significant expertise in biological mechanisms of suicidal behavior and longitudinal research methods. Co-Mentor Dr. Michael Marshal is an expert on SMA mental health disparities, including suicidality. The candidate will also receive mentoring from internal Consultant Dr. Anna Marsland, a leading scholar in psychoneuroimmunology, internal Consultant Dr. Kehui Chen, a statistician with ongoing collaborations with Dr. Melhem, and external Consultant Dr. Jeffrey Bridge, who contributes expertise in neurocognitive risk for suicidal behavior among adolescents. Completion of the proposed research and training plans will position the candidate as a leading scholar in SMA suicidal behavior, preparing him to examine this pressing mental health disparity longitudinally across adolescence and at multiple levels of analysis.