Type of sexual intercourse experience and suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among youths: a cross-sectional study in South Korea

Abstract

BackgroundDespite abundant theoretical evidence of higher rates of suicide among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths, little is known about the relationship between suicide and types of sexual intercourse experience in youths. This study examines the association between the type of intercourse experience and suicide risk outcomes (SROs: suicidal ideation, plans for suicide, suicidal attempts) from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from 146,621 students aged 12–17 years for the years 2012 and 2013. We defined lesbian, gay, or bisexual youth as youths who engaged in a type of sexual intercourse (same-sex or both-sex intercourse). A chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between intercourse experience and SROs.ResultsThe results showed that the prevalence of suicidal ideation was higher among youths with same-sex intercourse experience (45.9% for females, 33.7% for males) than among youths with opposite-sex intercourse experience (42.2% for females, 23.8% for males) and those with no experience in intercourse (21.0% for females, 12.7% for males). After adjusting for revealed risk factors that were associated with suicide risks, among males, suicide risks based on intercourse experience seemed to increase in the following order: no experience in sexual intercourse, opposite-sex, same-sex, and then both-sexes sexual intercourse experience. Same- and both-sexes intercourse related SROs are strongly linked to violence (being physically assaulted, threatened, or bullied) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV infection. Those having no sexual intercourse experience showed the least probability of suicide risks among youths.ConclusionThe SROs of youths with same-sex or both-sex intercourse experience had strong associations with gender (males), violence, and STDs. Therefore, school educators must continue to advocate for and to implement LGB inclusive policies and programs in order to promote safe and supportive learning environments where all students are protected from health risk behaviors.

Health disparities between lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults and the general population in South Korea: Rainbow Connection Project I

“…The Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey is the only national-level health survey in Korea measuring sexual orientation by asking respondents to indicate the gender of the person with whom they had a sexual intercourse. These data enabled studies to compare the health status of LGB adolescents with heterosexual counterparts [ 13 - 15 ]. To facilitate LGBT health studies in Korea, sexual orientation needs to be included as a demographic variable in national-level health surveys, such as the KNHANES and Work Environment Survey.…”

“…Due to the paucity of existing studies in the field, previous literatures regarding health disparities of LGB population in Korea have the following limitations. First, most studies were on the health disparities of LGB adolescents, using the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey which is the only nationally representative data that includes sexual orientation in the questionnaire [ 13 - 15 ]. On the other hand, because of the absence of sexual orientation measure in national health surveys targeting adults, there are only few studies on health disparities of adult sexual minorities.…”

“…Lastly, the health outcomes investigated in the existing studies are limited to only some mental health conditions and health behaviors. Despite previous studies reporting that the Korean LGB population has a higher prevalence of risky health behaviors [ 14 ], and have higher prevalence of depressive symptoms [ 14 , 17 , 20 ] and suicide risk [ 15 , 17 ], none of these studies have studied physical health.…”

Experienced Homophobia and Suicide Among Young Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Men in Singapore: Exploring the Mediating Role of Depression Severity, Self-Esteem, and Outness in the Pink Carpet Y Cohort Study

“…6 A study in China noted that male adolescents who reported same-sex romantic attraction or both-sex romantic attraction were more likely to report past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempts than their counterparts who identified as heterosexual. 7 Another study in South Korea found that male youths who reported experiences of same-sex or both-sex sexual intercourse were more likely to report a history of suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts compared with those with opposite-sex sexual intercourse experiences only, 8 suggesting that greater risk of suicide for sexual minority youths is not specific to Western developed societies.…”

Victimization of Traditional and Cyber Bullying During Childhood and Their Correlates Among Adult Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan: A Retrospective Study

“…Analysis of a national cross-sectional survey in Chinese adolescents found that victimization of bullying mediated the associations of sexual minority status with suicidality [28] and poor sleep quality [29]. Analysis of the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey found that same- and both-sexes intercourse related suicidality is strongly linked to victimization of bullying among youths [30]. Therefore, factors associated with sexuality-related victimization of bullying during childhood and adolescence in Asian countries warrant further investigation to offer a basis for developing prevention and intervention programs aimed at reducing bullying of sexual minority youths.…”