Suicidal ideation and attempts in North American school-based surveys: are bisexual youth at increasing risk?
This study explored the prevalence, disparity, and cohort trends in suicidality among bisexual teens vs. heterosexual and gay/lesbian peers in 9 population-based high school surveys in Canada and the U.S. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to calculate age-adjusted odds ratios separately by gender; 95% confidence intervals tested cohort trends where surveys were repeated over multiple years. Results showed remarkable consistency: bisexual youth reported higher odds of recent suicidal ideation and attempts vs. heterosexual peers, with increasing odds in most surveys over the past decade. Results compared to gay and lesbian peers were mixed, with varying gender differences in prevalence and disparity trends in the different regions.
Saewyc
Elizabeth M
EM
University of British Columbia, School of Nursing, T201-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver BC, V6T 2B5 Canada. saewyc@interchange.ubc.ca
Skay
Carol L
CL
Hynds
Patricia
P
Pettingell
Sandra
S
Bearinger
Linda H
LH
Resnick
Michael D
MD
Reis
Elizabeth
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent / Q000639:trends; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D019529:Sexuality / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology / Q000639:trends*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000208:ethnology / Q000639:trends*