Risk Factors for Attempted Suicide in Gay and Bisexual Youth

Abstract

Studies of human sexuality have noted high rates of suicidality among homosexual youth, but the problem has not been systematically examined. This work was undertaken to identify risk factors for suicide attempts among bisexual and homosexual male youth. Subjects were 137 gay and bisexual males, 14 through 21 years of age, from the upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Forty-one subjects (41/137) reported a suicide attempt; and almost half of them described multiple attempts. Twenty-one percent of all attempts resulted in medical or psychiatric admissions. Compared with nonattempters, attempters had more feminine gender roles and adopted a bisexual or homosexual identity at younger ages. Attempters were more likely than peers to report sexual abuse, drug abuse, and arrests for misconduct. The findings parallel previous studies' results and also introduce novel suicide risk factors related to gender nonconformity and sexual milestones.

Suicide attempts among sexual-minority youths: Population and measurement issues.

“…In terms of population issues, several investigators of suicidal risk recognize that gay-identified adolescents are a subset of all youths and that they may indeed be disproportionately at risk for negative health outcomes and risk behaviors (Garofalo et al, 1998(Garofalo et al, , 1999Hershberger et al, 1997;Remafedi, Farrow, & Deisher, 1991). However, those who report the data seldom moderate their conclusions to include the caveat that most individuals with samesex attractions do not identify themselves as gay.…”

Verbal and physical abuse as stressors in the lives of lesbian, gay male, and bisexual youths: Associations with school problems, running away, substance abuse, prostitution, and suicide.

“…These rates increase for special populations of gay male, bisexual, and lesbian youths: 41 % of the girls and 34% of the boys who report being violently assaulted (Hunter, 1990); 53% among homeless and street youths (Kruks, 1991); 41% of those seeking assistance at service agencies (National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 1982); and adolescents particularly sensitive to feeling rejected by others (Schneider et al, 1989). Remafedi et al (1991) studied 137 gay and bisexual male adolescents, ages 14 to 21 years. Most (82%) are White, volunteered for the research project, and resided in Minnesota or Washington.…”

Suicidal Behaviors in Homosexual and Bisexual Males

“…Gay and bisexual male youth have been at risk for a number of negative life experiences that are potentially linked to suicidal crises, including being physically, verbally, and emotionally abused in families, schools, and society; manifesting declining academic achievement and truancy; becoming throwaways, runaways, street youth, and delinquents; engaging in prostitution for survival purposes or as a way to act out learned negative stereotypes; and not being able to access qualified services when needed; or worse, being psychologically abused or neglected by professionals entrusted to help them [Remafedi, 1987;Boyer, 1989;Gibson, 1989;Hunter, 1990;Kruks, 1991;Remafedi et al, 1991;Galst, 1992;American Academy of Pediatrics, 1993;Savin-Williams, 1994;Pilkington & D'Augelli, 1995].…”