Association of Sexual Orientation Acceptance with Reduced Suicide Attempts Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning Youth

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between sexual orientation acceptance from others and suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Methods: We analyzed data from a 2018 cross-sectional survey of LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 years across the United States. Youth reported sexual orientation acceptance levels from parents, other relatives, school professionals, health care professionals, friends, and classmates to whom who they were ''out.'' Adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between sexual orientation acceptance and a past-year suicide attempt. Results: All forms of peer and adult acceptance were associated with reduced reports of a past-year suicide attempt, with the strongest associations found for acceptance from parents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.52) and straight/heterosexual friends (aOR = 0.54). Youth who reported high levels of acceptance from any adult had nearly 40% (aOR = 0.61) lower odds of a past-year suicide attempt compared with LGBTQ peers with little to no acceptance. Youth with high levels of acceptance from any peer also had significantly lower odds of reporting a past-year suicide attempt (aOR = 0.55). These relationships remained significant even after controlling for the impact of each form of acceptance, suggesting unique associations with suicide risk for both peer and adult acceptance. Conclusion: Interventions aimed at increasing sexual orientation acceptance from supportive adults and peers have strong potential to address the public health burden of LGBTQ youth suicide.

The role of parental and friend’s support preventing suicide among French sexual minority adolescents

“…This current study is a pioneer cross-sectional study in France to analyze the role of parental and friend's support on suicide attempts among LGB adolescents. Suicide attempt remained associated with sexual orientation when considering possible related variables, which is consistent with previous studies (Green et al, 2021;Williams et al, 2021). A co-twin control study in youth males showed that suicide attempts remained signi cantly associated with same-gender sexual orientation after adjustment for substance abuse and depressive symptoms (Herrell et al, 1999).…”

“…Faced with such a high proportion of suicide attempts among sexual minority adolescents, the identi cation of protective factors should be a focus. Previous studies reported that some protective factors have been identi ed and targeted in future interventions of suicide attempts such as family connectedness, acceptance of the mother, teacher caring, other adult caring, and school safety (Green et al, 2021;Johns et al, 2018;Padilla et al, 2010). Among these results, parental and friend's support are considered as the two most important protective factors.…”

“…Among these results, parental and friend's support are considered as the two most important protective factors. For example, the study of Green et al and Mutumba et al revealed that both family acceptance and peer friendship play crucial roles in preventing suicide attempts in LGB youth (Green et al, 2021;Mutumba & Harper, 2015). LGB adolescents with anxiety and feelings of pressure are more likely to have suicide attempts than their heterosexual peers.…”

Transgenders are the most vulnerable amongst individuals engaging in receptive anal intercourse

“…Social acceptance of MSM is variable across nations and cultures. [ 7 8 9 ] In America, social marketing has played a major role in social acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Compared to a decade earlier, 60% of Americans are more likely to accept gay relationships and marriages.…”

“…[ 7 ] Social and family acceptance and safe community environment have strong association with improved health conditions. [ 8 9 ] Fear of anticipated discrimination and disparity in access to health facilities is an universal phenomenon. [ 10 11 12 13 ] The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made the gender minority population more vulnerable.…”