Mindfulness and Avoidant Coping: Examining the Behavioral Correlates of Suicidal Ideation Among LGB+ College Students.
Matt B Siroty, Amber L Pope, Adrian J. Bravo
Journal of LGBTQ issues in counseling May 4, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/26924951.2026.2628752 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 927 |
| Population | College students, including 124 LGB+ individuals |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | College students Suicidal ideation Minority stress Avoidant coping Lgb+ |
| Key findings | Avoidant coping did not differ by sexual orientation, so it did not explain the higher suicidal ideation observed among LGB+ students. In exploratory analyses, higher acting with awareness and non-judging were linked to lower suicidal ideation risk among LGB+ individuals. The authors propose mindfulness as a counseling mechanism for minority stressors. |
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual (LGB+) individuals experience heightened psychopathology compared to heterosexual counterparts, including suicidal ideation (SI). Previous research has indicated risks of avoidant coping and protective effects of mindfulness on these disparities. We examined how these factors contribute to differences in SI among college students (n = 927, 124 LGB+). Avoidant coping did not differ by sexual orientation. Exploratory analyses revealed higher acting with awareness and non-judging (mindfulness facets) attenuated higher observed SI risk among LGB+ individuals. We outline possible mechanisms behind SI disparities among LGB+ individuals and encourage mindfulness as a counseling mechanism to target minority stressors.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Mechanisms of Mindfulness Training: Monitor and Acceptance Theory (MAT) Clinical Psychology Review November 5, 2016