# Biological Mechanisms of Suicidal Behavior among Sexual Minority Adolescents

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2020 · $168,276

## Abstract

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 ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9898464
- **Project number:** 5K01MH117142-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian Thoma
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $168,276
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9898464

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9898464, Biological Mechanisms of Suicidal Behavior among Sexual Minority Adolescents (5K01MH117142-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9898464. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*