Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Youth: 1995–2017

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we determined trends in prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual youth from 1995 to 2017 using populationbased surveillance data. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey from 1995 to 2017 (unweighted N = 41 636). The annual percent change (APC) in prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts was stratified by sexual orientation as indexed by sexual identity and sexual behavior. RESULTS: Among sexual minority youth, prevalence rates declined over the entire study period for suicidal ideation (APC sexual identity = 21.25; APC sexual behavior = 21.83), plans (APC sexual identity = 21.88; APC sexual behavior = 21.95), and attempts (APC sexual identity = 22.64; APC sexual behavior = 22.47). Among heterosexual youth, prevalence rates declined from 1995 to 2007 for suicidal ideation (APC sexual identity = 26.67; APC sexual behavior = 26.77) and plans (APC sexual identity = 25.73; APC sexual behavior = 26.25). These declines in ideation and plans were steeper than those for sexual minority youth. Prevalence of suicide attempts declined across the entire study period among heterosexual youth (APC sexual identity = 23.66; APC sexual behavior = 24.01). Prevalence of all 3 outcomes remained markedly high among sexual minority youth across the 23-year study period. CONCLUSIONS: Although suicidal thoughts and behavior have generally declined among sexual minority and heterosexual youth, disparities in these outcomes persist, and their prevalence among sexual minority youth has remained consistently elevated. Prioritized screening for risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in this vulnerable population is imperative to reduce disparities and prevalence of these outcomes.

Future Directions in Understanding and Addressing Mental Health among LGBTQ Youth

“…In support of these ideas, several studies now document persistent trends in sexual orientation differences in mental health (Liu et al, 2020;Peter et al, 2017;Raifman et al, 2017), substance use (Fish & Baams, 2018;Fish, Turner et al, 2019;Fish et al, 2017), and the factors implicated in sexual minority health inequities (e.g., victimizations, family support; Watson et al, 2019;Poteat et al, 2020). At the same time, research on the developmental timing of sexual orientation and gender identity-related disparities in substance use (Fish & Russell, 2019a), mental health (Fish & Russell, 2019b;La Roi et al, 2016), and peer victimization (Martin-Storey & Fish, 2019;Mittleman, 2019;Fish & Russell, 2019b) demonstrate that these disparities emerge at early ages.…”

Prediction Algorithm of Young Students’ Physical Health Risk Factors Based on Deep Learning

“…Teenagers are the future of society. As a result, this study relied on monitoring data from 2017 province high school students' health risk behavior components, as well as health examination data from the monitoring data [ 19 ], with the goal of developing effective interventions and education based on the characteristics of child and adolescent health risk behaviors.…”

Temporal Trends and Disparities in Suicidal Behaviors by Sex and Sexual Identity Among Asian American Adolescents

“…Such trends are consistent with recent observations among youth of all racial/ethnic groups who are sexual minorities. 9 , 10 , 30 Berlan et al 31 found that youth from both sexes who were sexual minorities were more likely to experience bullying than their heterosexual counterparts. In particular, youth who are sexual minorities often differ from their peers in physical appearance and in being gender nonconforming, which has been found to be associated with increased risks of social isolation, harassment, bullying, and other mistreatment by peers.…”

“…[35][36][37] Examining sexual minority status by sexual identity and behaviors underscores that relying on self-reported sexual orientation alone could mask elevated risks for suicide among Asian American behaviors, Asian American youth who are sexual minorities may be even less likely to disclose their sexual identities while still engaging in sexual behaviors with members of the same sex or both sexes. 9 It is possible that Asian American adolescents with suicidal thoughts who were sexual minorities and who had disclosed their sexual identities experienced a longer period of discrimination, harassment, and stigma. 38 Accumulation of stigma and discrimination experiences has been found to be associated with increased rates of suicidal behaviors among youth who are sexual minorities.…”

“…6,7 Adolescents who are sexual minorities (defined as individuals who self-identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or who are attracted to or have sexual contact with people of the same sex) bear a disproportionate risk of suicidal behaviors compared with heterosexual individuals. 8,9 Results from 2 studies from 2020 9,10 highlight the need to recognize the diversity among youth who are sexual minorities, given that a single-dimension definition may obscure within-group disparities and accurate estimation of suicide risks. 10,11 Owing to the strong cultural stigma toward sexual minorities, Asian American adolescents who are sexual minorities may be less likely to disclose their nonheterosexual identities, same-sex or both-sex attraction, or sexual behaviors.…”