La divulgation de son homosexualité est une des expériences les plus stressantes que les jeunes homosexuels rencontrent. Cette étude vise à mieux comprendre la manière dont les jeunes homosexuels y font face. Cette recherche a été menée auprès de 200 jeunes se disant homosexuels, âgés de 16 à 25ans (69 femmes, 131 hommes). Les stratégies de coping employées lors de l’annonce de leur homosexualité la plus stressante qu’ils ont rencontrée ont été évaluées, tout comme la préparation et l’initiative de l’annonce, la présence d’idéations suicidaires et de tentatives de suicide. Dans notre échantillon, 38 % des répondants ont pensé à mettre fin à leurs jours durant cette divulgation, 23 % ont réalisé une tentative de suicide. Ces données illustrent la vulnérabilité des jeunes homosexuels lors de la divulgation de leur homosexualité. Les jeunes qui ont préparé cette annonce et qui n’ont pas eu d’idéations suicidaires ont évalué de manière positive cette situation et se sont tournés vers les autres. Alors que les jeunes homosexuels qui ont peu préparé leur divulgation et qui ont présenté des conduites ou des idéations suicidaires, ont eu tendance à se remettre en question, à se culpabiliser et à s’isoler. Selon nous, une approche cognitive, comportementale et émotionnelle permettrait d’accompagner les jeunes homosexuels dans la préparation et la divulgation de leur homosexualité, et favoriserait la prévention du suicide.

Disclosing homosexuality can be one of the most stressful experiences a young homosexual can go through. It can generate significant discomfort with the young homosexual exposing him/herself to the opinions of others and to possible rejection. Yet it also represents an important step in the construction of the homosexual identity. This study aims to better understand how young homosexuals cope with the stress experienced as a result of ‘coming out’.

This research was conducted with 200 young people who indicated being homosexual, aged between 16 to 25years (69 women, 131 men). Coping strategies, planning, initiative and rehearsal of the stressful situation were evaluated, as well as the presence of suicidal ideation and veritable suicide attempts. Participants were instructed to answer based on the most stressful ‘coming out’ that they had yet experienced.

The coping strategies used by participants in the disclosure of their homosexuality were diverse. Strategies aiming towards personal development or problem solving were mixed with avoidance, guilt and isolation tactics. In the current sample, the most stressful announcement took place on average at age 18. For 81% of the participants, it involved at least one of their family members. Nearly half of respondents said they “somewhat” or “not at all” planned this announcement. The statistical analysis shows that given an increased preparation of the coming out, the greater the chances that the individual will use problem-solving strategies (r=0.39, P<0.0001), personal development and positive revaluation of the situation (r=0.22, P<0.002). During their most stressful announcement, 38% of respondents thought about ending their lives and 23% made a suicide attempt. These data illustrate the vulnerability of young people associated with the announcement of homosexuality. Respondents who had suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior did not use the same coping strategies as other participants. Suicidal youths, when compared with non-suicidal youths, tended to use escape mechanisms and avoidance (t=2.7, P=0.007), feeling isolation and guilt (t=12.2, P<0.0001), and addictive behavior and/or risk-taking behavior (t=5.1, P<0.0001).

Despite the stress involved in coming out, many participants used personal development strategies. It illustrates the importance of this announcement in the construction of identity and in personal development. But for others, this announcement is a moment of suffering sometimes leading to suicidal behavior. For the latter, escape mechanisms, isolation and addictive behaviors are often involved in announcing their homosexuality with rare use of personal development strategies. These contradictions reflect the complexity of this announcement, which may be responsible for some well-being as well as some suffering, depending on the cognitive assessment of the situation and on the reactions of those around. Given these results, it appears that appropriate support, like a cognitive, behavioral and emotional approach based on stress management programs, could help in preparing this announcement and may prevent suicidal behavior. The cognitive axis could be used to attempt at improving the preparation of this announcement, as well as dealing with the reactions and consequences that may result. Therapy centered on emotions could also be used, which would aim at identifying and evaluating feelings experiences by young homosexual, towards an acceptance of their emotional experience and reducing their desire for control. Developing and using role-playing could provide additional support.