Trends in Violence Victimization and Suicide Risk by Sexual Identity Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2015–2019

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths continue to experience more violence victimization and suicide risk than heterosexual youths; however, few studies have examined whether the proportion of LGB youths affected by these outcomes has varied over time, and no studies have assessed such trends in a nationally representative sample. This report analyzes national trends in violence victimization and suicide risk among high school students by self-reported sexual identity (LGB or heterosexual) and evaluates differences in these trends among LGB students by sex (male or female) and race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, or Hispanic). Data for this analysis were derived from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 cycles of CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a cross-sectional, school-based survey conducted biennially since 1991. Logistic regression models assessed linear trends in prevalence of violence victimization and indicators of suicide risk among LGB and heterosexual students during 2015-2019; in subsequent models, sex-stratified (controlling for race/ethnicity and grade) and race/ethnicity-stratified (controlling for sex and grade) linear trends were examined for students self-identifying as LGB during 2015-2019. Results demonstrated that LGB students experienced more violence victimization and reported more suicide risk behaviors than heterosexual youths. Among LGB youths, differences in the proportion reporting violence victimization and suicide risk by sex and race/ethnicity were found. Across analyses, very few linear trends in these outcomes were observed among LGB students. Results highlight the continued need for comprehensive intervention strategies within schools and communities with the express goal of reducing violence victimization and preventing suicide risk behaviors among LGB students.

Adolescent mental health, COVID-19, and the value of school-community partnerships

“…1 White, woman or sexual minority (lesbian, gay or bisexual) students were at higher risk than non-white, men and heterosexual students. 2 These data alone would be concerning, but the COVID-19 pandemic 3 may further erode adolescent mental health, particularly for those with poor mental health prior to the pandemic. Early evidence from China and literature on youth and mass trauma indicate that COVID-19 could have immediate and long-term mental health impacts on children and adolescents.…”

Association of Sexual Orientation Acceptance with Reduced Suicide Attempts Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning Youth

“…2 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data indicate that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth are at more than four times increased risk of seriously considering suicide and attempted suicide compared with heterosexual peers. 3 There is also a growing body of research emphasizing even higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempt among transgender and nonbinary youth compared with cisgender youth, including their cisgender LGB and queer/questioning peers. [4][5][6] The minority stress model provides a framework for understanding mental health and suicidality disparities between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and their heterosexual and cisgender peers by highlighting the role of chronic stressors stemming from their marginalized social status.…”

The Relationship of School Start Times, Sleep Duration and Mental Health among a Representative Sample of High School Students in Colorado, 2019

“…Demographic and school-level factors associated with school start times in the bivariate analysis ( p ≤ 0.20) were included in linear and logistic regression models to control for potential confounding. In addition, feeling sad/hopeless was included in the logistic regression model as a proxy for depressed mood, while sexual orientation was included on theoretical grounds due to its association with suicide-related behaviors [ 8 ]. Statistical analyses were performed using complex survey procedures in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC, USA) with an alpha level of 0.05.…”

“…As of 2019, 18.8% of high school students in the US reported considering suicide and 8.9% attempted suicide at least once [ 7 ]. Outside of sleep duration, adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts have been associated with factors including race/ethnicity [ 7 ], sexual orientation [ 8 ], and feelings of hopelessness [ 9 ].…”