Fridae

Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth are more than twice as likely as non-LGB youth to attempt suicide, according to a study published in the June 1 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

The study is the first to address sexual orientation and suicide risk in a nationally representative sample.

Researchers, led by Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D., a youth development specialist in the human and community development department at the University of California, Davis, examined data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a recent and comprehensive study of American youth. The study included over 12,000 adolescents in grades seven through twelve, from 134 schools around the country.

Participants were asked if they had same-sex romantic attractions or relationships. Those who did were categorized as having a same-sex sexual orientation (SSSO). Around seven percent of boys and five percent of girls reported same-sex romantic attractions, and 1 percent of boys and 2 percent of girls reported same-sex relationships.

When it came to suicide, around 15 percent of SSSO youth reported having attempted it, roughly twice the rate of non-SSSO youth. SSSO youth were also significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts, depression, alcohol abuse and being victims of physical violence. To encourage honesty, participants were given a computer device, which allowed them to record their answers in private.

"It is our hope that this study can put to rest any doubt that while the majority of youth reporting same-sex sexual orientation make it through adolescence with no more problems than heterosexual youth, a significant number are at risk for suicide," the study authors wrote.

"These youth deserve intervention and prevention [services] that they only rarely receive."

One of the study's strengths is that it included youth who do not necessarily identify as LGB but who have same-sex attraction nonetheless. "It is likely that our measure captures a broad range of youth," the study authors noted. A drawback of the study is that it asked about same-sex attraction only in a romantic context, opposed to an emotional or sexual one.

"Ultimately, however, we believe that our measure of sexual orientation is an important step toward a richer understanding of adolescent sexuality," they added.

The researchers called for suicide prevention efforts that focus on depression and substance abuse among LGB and questioning youth. They also called for further studies to examine how coming out may relate to suicide risk.