Suicidal behaviour among sexual-minority youth: a review of the role of acceptance and support

Abstract

Sexual minority youths have two-to threefold higher risk for suicidal behaviour compared to their peers. They also face increased levels of different mental health risk factors, such as depression and substance abuse, and are often victims of homophobia and discrimination. However, available data are unable to provide a clear understanding of the psychosocial factors contributing to these unfavourable mental health indicators. Therefore, this study reviews current knowledge about the impact of factors such as acceptance and support as possible risk or protective factors for the development of suicidal behaviour among sexual minority youth. Thirty four articles were eventually included in the review process; their content was contextualised at three different levels (society, social network and individual) and then integrated into a model. This study shows how negative social environments, such as non-acceptant school climate, lack of support within closest social network, and absence of LGBT support movements in communities, contribute to the development of suicidality in young persons. Unsupportive reactions are internalised and played out at the individual's level as internalised homo-/bi-/transphobic patterns. In order to prevent suicidal behaviour, all these aspects need to be taken into consideration.

A future for the world's children? A WHO–UNICEF–Lancet Commission

“…For example, sexualminority youth are at two to three times higher risk of suicide compared with their peers, a fact linked to nonaccepting social environments and poor emotional and social support. 148 However, some evidence suggests that focused interventions can lead to positive outcomes. Community dialogues around issues, such as caste discrimination and female circum cision, require delicate negotiations around social identity and direct challenges to illegitimate uses of power, but have been shown to facilitate changes to social norms when done sensitively.…”

Trends in suicide death risk in transgender people: results from the Amsterdam Cohort of Gender Dysphoria study (1972–2017)

“…Suicidal behaviour is a complex phenomenon that is a result of many individual (age, male sex assigned at birth, previous suicide attempts, mental health history, substance abuse) as well as more distant environmental factors. A recent literature review clearly demonstrates the specific risk factors for suicide in sexual minority youth, which includes negative social environments, inadequate support within the closest social network, and an absence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movements in communities (29). In our cohort, both trans women and trans men show a three‐ to four‐fold elevated risk of suicide compared with the population rate in the Netherlands and can therefore be considered a high‐risk group.…”

Prevalence of self-harm among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescents: a comparison of personal and social adversity with a heterosexual sample in Ghana

“…While homosexual related legislation does not necessarily lead to reductions in self-harm and suicide in members of sexual or gender minorities [40], it is now well documented that pro-homosexual legislation, together with acceptances by others, supportive family and public attitudes and secure environment, have the potential of leading to positive health outcomes in persons identifying as sexual or gender minority [36,[41][42][43]. The evidence of this study underscores the need for families, school staff, social and healthcare professionals to show positive attitudes and be supportive of LGBT adolescents, thereby creating a secure environment to reduce vulnerabilities and risks to self-harm.…”