Predicting the Suicide Attempts of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth

Abstract

In this study predictors of serious suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth were examined. Three groups were compared: youth who reported no attempts, youth who reported attempts unrelated to their sexual orientation, and youth whose attempts were considered related to their sexual orientation. About one third of respondents reported at least one suicide attempt; however, only half of the attempts were judged serious based on potential lethality. About half of all attempts were related to youths' sexual orientation. Factors that differentiated youth reporting suicide attempts and those not reporting attempts were greater childhood parental psychological abuse and more childhood gender-atypical behavior. Gay-related suicide attempts were associated with identifiability as LGB, especially by parents. Early openness about sexual orientation, being considered gender atypical in childhood by parents, and parental efforts to discourage gender atypical behavior were associated with gay-related suicide attempts, especially for males. Assessment of past parental psychological abuse, parental reactions to childhood gender atypical behavior, youths' openness about sexual orientation with family members, and lifetime gay-related verbal abuse can assist in the prediction of suicide attempts in this population.

Childhood Gender Nonconformity and Harassment as Predictors of Suicidality among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Austrians

“…Parental awareness of a child's homosexual orientation occurs at an earlier age for gender nonconforming individuals. Such individuals are also at greater risk for parental verbal victimization (D'Augelli et al, 2005) which might increase the socially-induced damage done to the self-esteem of gender atypical children (Aubé & Koestner, 1992;Egan & Perry, 2001). Longitudinal research could differentiate the negative impact of harassment based on CGNC alone, harassment based on (presumed) homosexuality, and the impact of both forms together.…”

“…In a sample of LGB youth (D'Augelli et al, 2006), the impact of CGNC on mental health (trauma symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder) was comparable between the sexes. Furthermore, parental discouragement of CGNC behavior was characteristic for both GB and LB suicide attempters compared to non-attempters (D'Augelli et al, 2005).…”

Office-Based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth

“…46 Another study found that suicide attempts among sexual minority youth were positively correlated with parental psychological abuse of the child, being considered gender atypical in childhood by parents, and parental efforts to discourage gender atypical behavior. 47 Sexual minority teens who run away or are put out by their families after acknowledging their sexuality are often victimized, which leads to further mental health issues. Homeless LGBTQ teens are more likely than heterosexual teens to meet criteria for each of 4 mental disorders: major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and conduct disorder.…”

Office-Based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth

“…1,13,17,23 Sexual minority youth suffer higher rates of depression and were more than twice as likely to have considered suicide. 1,13,17,[24][25][26] Protective factors against depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts included family connectedness, caring adults, and school safety. 27 Referral for "conversion" or "reparative therapy" is never indicated; therapy is not effective and may be harmful to LGBTQ individuals by increasing internalized stigma, distress, and depression.…”