Sexual Orientation and Self-Harm in Men and Women

Abstract

This study provides evidence of a link between increasing degrees of same-sex attraction and self-harm in both men and women, with the possibility of some difference between the sexes that needs to be explored further.

Suicidality and sexual orientation among men in Switzerland: Findings from 3 probability surveys

“…Compelling evidence for higher risk of suicidal behaviors associated with homosexuality have come from a Christchurch (New Zealand) birth cohort (OR ¼ 5.4 for lifetime suicidal ideation and OR ¼ 3.0e6.2 for lifetime suicide attempts) (Fergusson et al, 1999;Skegg et al, 2003), a US male twin registry (OR ¼ 4.1 for lifetime suicidal ideation and OR ¼ 6.5 for lifetime suicide attempts) (Herrell et al, 1999), a Danish national population registry (OR ¼ 1.9e8.2 for suicide incidence) , several national health surveys in Europe and North America (OR ¼ 1.9e7.7 for lifetime suicidal ideation and OR ¼ 2.2e10.2 for lifetime suicide attempts among men and/or men and women combined) (Cochran and Mays, 2000;Gilman et al, 2001;de Graaf et al, 2006;Jouvin et al, 2007;Brennan et al, 2010;Bolton and Sareen, 2011;Chakraborty et al, 2011), and several national/regional adolescent health surveys in Europe and North America (OR ¼ 4.3e6.7 for lifetime suicide attempts among male and/or male and female secondary school students combined) (Remafedi et al, 1998;Wichstrøm and Hegna, 2003) (NB: An excellent overview of findings on suicidality in the past 12 months by sexual orientation among high school students in the various Youth Risk Behavior Surveys is presented in Kann et al, 2011).…”

Sexuality in patients with spinal cord injuries due to attempted suicide

“…5 Literature reports that gay men and lesbian women are two or three times more likely to attempt suicide than other young people. [6][7] Many of them feel isolated, and may have difficulties coming to terms with their own sexuality. Problems arising from society's attitude toward homosexuals may cause mental illnesses such as depression and affective disorders, and many use alcohol and drugs as a means of coping with societal oppression.…”

Gay Men Talking About Health

“…This is important because multiple studies indicate that gay men have poorer health outcomes than heterosexual men or the male population in general in a number of areas (e.g., Drabble, Keatley, & Marcelle, 2003;Wolitski, Valdiserri, & Stall, 2008). Some of this research has reported that when compared with heterosexual men, gay men have a higher incidence of eating disorders (Russell & Keel, 2002); suicide and suicide attempts (Skegg, Nada-Raja, Dickson, Paul, & Williams, 2003); depression, panic attacks, and psychological distress (Cochran, Sullivan, & Mays, 2003); and have an elevated risk for anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders (Bostwick, Boyd, Hughes, & McCabe, 2009). Gay men, especially those attached to gay communities, are also reported to be more likely to use nonprescription drugs, including alcohol, at higher levels ( Van de Ven, Rawstorne, & Treloar, 2002) and more likely to smoke tobacco than heterosexual men (Dilley, Simmons, Boysun, Pizacani, & Stark, 2010).…”