| Previous studies have considered the extent to which personality traits, from a Five-Factor Model Perspective, are inextricably linked to outcomes related to suicide and self-injury (Bagby, Joffe, Parker, Kalemba, & Harkness, 1995). Sexual minorities, or lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are at increased risk for suicide and self-injury (Bolton & Sareen, 2011), but no studies have considered how personality traits influence suicide and self-injury among LGB individuals. Additionally, research shows that spiritual practices and religious faith are protective against negative outcomes in heterosexuals (Gearing & Lizardi, 2009), but little research has considered the role of faith among LGB adults. The present study sought to clarify such theoretical gaps. It was hypothesized that personality traits would predict suicide and self-injury proneness, and that spirituality variables, Spiritual Life Integration and Social Justice Commitment, would interact with such traits to attenuate risk for suicide and self-injury. Participants in the present study were 336 LGB adult community members. Results confirmed prior personality theory and uniquely found that Openness, Agreeableness, and Extraversion interacted with spirituality variables to attenuate risk, such that high levels of each trait and high levels of spirituality were protective against suicide and self-injury proneness. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as limitations, are discussed.;KEY WORDS: Five-Factor Model, Personality theory, Suicide, Self-injury, Sexual Minorities. |
