Adolescent Sexual Orientation and Suicide Risk: Evidence From a National Study

Russell, Stephen T.; Joyner, Kara

doi:10.2105/ajph.91.8.1276

Cited by 729 publications

(527 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…44,45 As discussed in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) statement on sexual orientation and adolescents, 46 boys who are questioning and gay and do not have supportive environments are at increased risk of social isolation, school failure, family conflict, substance abuse, depression, suicide, and stigmatization. [47][48][49][50] Most sexual-minority youth are quite resilient and work through adolescent development issues. Being gay or bisexual or questioning their orientation is not in itself a problem but is a risk factor for exploring other associated risks.…”

Section: Sexual Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

Marcell¹,

Wibbelsman²,

Seigel³

2011

Pediatrics

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Male adolescents' sexual and reproductive health needs often go unmet in the primary care setting. This report discusses specific issues related to male adolescents' sexual and reproductive health care in the context of primary care, including pubertal and sexual development, sexual behavior, consequences of sexual behavior, and methods of preventing sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and pregnancy. Pediatricians are encouraged to address male adolescent sexual and reproductive health on a regular basis, including taking a sexual history, performing an appropriate examination, providing patient-centered and age-appropriate anticipatory guidance, and delivering appropriate vaccinations. Pediatricians should provide these services to male adolescent patients in a confidential and culturally appropriate manner, promote healthy sexual relationships and responsibility, and involve parents in age-appropriate discussions about sexual health with their sons. Pediatrics 2011;128:e1658-e1676

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Section: Sexual Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

Marcell¹,

Wibbelsman²,

Seigel³

2011

Pediatrics

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“…LGBT youth (e.g., D 'Augelli, 2002) and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents are more likely to attempt and complete suicide than heterosexual adolescents (Russell & Joyner, 2001). While elevated levels of distress and suicidality were once believed to result directly 5 from an LGBT identity, it is now increasingly understood that such difficulties are associated with the adverse social conditions that these youth frequently experience as a result of the stigma that society attaches to their identities.…”

Section: Questioning (Lgbtq) Young People Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minority stress and health: Implications for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people

Kelleher¹

2009

Counselling Psychology Quarterly

287

142

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Historically, the pathologisation of LGBTQ orientations shaped research and professional practice, while the impact of stigma was not considered. Within a minority stress conceptualisation however, stigma-related prejudice and discrimination experienced byLGBTQ people constitute chronically stressful events that can lead to negative health outcomes. Minority stress has been linked to psychological distress among gay men and lesbians and may contribute to elevated rates of distress frequently observed among LGBTQ youth. This study explored the impact of minority stress on psychological distress amongLGBTQ youth in Ireland. Measures assessing three components of minority stress (sexual identity distress, stigma consciousness, and heterosexist experiences) were administered online to LGBTQ youth aged 16-24 years (N=301). Each minority stressor had a significant independent association with distress. Stepwise regression analyses identified the linear combination of minority stressors as significantly predictive of distress [F(3,201)=30.80, P=<.001]. Results suggest that the oppressive social environment created through sexual/transgender identity-related stigma negatively impacts on the well-being of LGBTQ youth. Findings have implications for health professionals and policy makers interested in the concerns of LGBTQ youth experiencing difficulties related to minority status and will facilitate the development and tailoring of interventions aimed at reaching those most at risk.

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“…Results indicated that living in environments that are less supportive of gays and lesbians is associated with greater suicide attempts among LGB youth. Previous studies have documented several factors that increase the risk for suicide attempts among LGB youth, including depression, 7 peer victimization, 4 hazardous alcohol use, 6 and physical abuse by an adult. 21 Even after adjusting for these individuallevel risk factors, the social environment was associated with suicide attempts in this sample.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 Overall, suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth aged 15 to 24 years, 2 and LGB youth are more likely to attempt suicide compared with their heterosexual peers. This heightened risk for suicide attempts among LGB youth has been replicated across multiple sampling methodologies, including community 3,4 and nationally representative 5,6 surveys, and across different countries. [7][8][9] Research into the underlying factors that may prevent suicide attempts among LGB youth is therefore a critical area for public health.…”

mentioning

confidence: 88%

“…The 3 study aims were (1) to examine whether the association between the social environment and suicide attempts remains significant after controlling for well-established risk factors for suicide attempts at the individual level, including depressive symptoms, 6,7 alcohol abuse, 19,20 peer victimization, 4,6 and physical abuse by an adult; 21,22 (2) to determine whether the association between LGB status and suicide attempts differs as a function of the social environment surrounding LGB youth (ie, effect modification); and (3) to evaluate whether the social environment can explain or account for the association between LGB status and suicide attempts (ie, mediation). 23 …”

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confidence: 99%

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The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth

2011

PEDIATRICS

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WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth attempt suicide at significantly higher rates than heterosexuals. The social environment may contribute to this elevated risk, but few empirical studies have used objective measures of the social environment to examine this hypothesis. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This study demonstrated that negative characteristics of the social environment increase risk for suicide attempts among LGB youth, independent of individuallevel risk factors. These results suggest that identifying structural interventions may help to reduce sexual orientationrelated disparities in suicide attempts. abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the social environment surrounding lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth may contribute to their higher rates of suicide attempts, controlling for individual-level risk factors. METHODS:A total of 31 852 11th grade students (1413 [4.4%] lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals) in Oregon completed the Oregon Healthy Teens survey in 2006 -2008. We created a composite index of the social environment in 34 counties, including (1) the proportion of same-sex couples, (2) the proportion of registered Democrats, (3) the presence of gay-straight alliances in schools, and (4) school policies (nondiscrimination and antibullying) that specifically protected lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. RESULTS:Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth were significantly more likely to attempt suicide in the previous 12 months, compared with heterosexuals (21.5% vs 4.2%). Among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth, the risk of attempting suicide was 20% greater in unsupportive environments compared to supportive environments. A more supportive social environment was significantly associated with fewer suicide attempts, controlling for sociodemographic variables and multiple risk factors for suicide attempts, including depressive symptoms, binge drinking, peer victimization, and physical abuse by an adult (odds ratio: 0.97 [95% confidence interval: 0.96 -0.99]). CONCLUSIONS:This study documents an association between an objective measure of the social environment and suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. The social environment appears to confer risk for suicide attempts over and above individual-level risk factors. These results have important implications for the development of policies and interventions to reduce sexual orientation-related disparities in suicide attempts.

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Adolescent Sexual Orientation and Suicide Risk: Evidence From a National Study

Abstract: The findings provide strong evidence that sexual minority youths are more likely than their peers to think about and attempt suicide.

Cited by 729 publications

References 29 publications

Male Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

Male Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

Minority stress and health: Implications for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people

The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth

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