Sexual risk behaviors and suicidal ideations among Hijras

Abstract

In the present study aim was to explore the role of perceived attitude and anticipated rejection, in sexual risk behaviours, and suicidal ideations among hijras. Role of certain demographic variables in the proposed relationships of study variables was also studied. Hijra's Perception of Attitude towards Hijra Scale (Jami, 2012), Negative Expectations for Future Subscale (Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Measure (Testa et aI., 2014)), Sexual Risk Behaviour Questionnaire (Jami, 2018), The Suicidal Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (Osman et aI., 1999), and a demographic variable sheet based on Biographical Interview Schedule (Jami, 2012) were used for the data collection from 105 hijras through convenience and snowball sampling in different areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Results as assumed showed significant negative relationship between perceived attitude and anticipated rejection. Anticipated rejection showed significant positive correlation with sexual risk behaviours. Perceived attitude and suicidal ideations showed significant negative correlation. Sexual risk behaviours and suicidal ideations showed significant positive correlation. Hypotheses that anticipated rejection is a mediator for perceived attitude in effecting sexual risk behaviour and suicidal ideations among hijras, were rej ected. Moderating role suicidal ideations, safe sex, and happy being a hijra were found for perceived attitude in predicting sexual risk behaviours among hijras. Implications, limitations and suggestions of the study had also been discussed.