Suicide attempts among sexual-minority male youth.
The purpose of this study was to provide data addressing Diamond's (this issue) 4 problem areas in sexual orientation research by comparing gay, bisexual, and questioning male youth who report attempting suicide with those who do not. Secondary analyses were conducted with 2 datasets, 1 with a gay support group (n = 51) and the other with online youth (n = 681). Reported suicide attempts ranged from 39% among support-group youth, to 25% among Internet gay support group youth, to 9% among Internet non-support group youth. Sexual orientation, behavior, and identity did not predict suicidal attempt status, but suicide attempters experienced higher levels of both generic life stressors (low self-esteem, substance use, victimization) and gay-related stressors, particularly those directly related to visible (femininity) and behavioral (gay sex) aspects of their sexual identity. Support-group attendance was related to higher levels of suicidality and life stressors, as well as certain resiliency factors. Results suggest that there exists a minority of sexual-minority youth who are at risk but that it would be inappropriate to characterize the entire population as such.
Savin-Williams
Ritch C
RC
Department of Human Development, MVR Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. rcs15@cornell.edu
Ream
Geoffrey L
GL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019548:Crime Victims; D006306:Health Surveys; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013406:Suicide, Attempted