Drivers of disparity: differences in socially based risk factors of self-injurious and suicidal behaviors among sexual minority college students.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (ie, sexual minority) populations have increased prevalence of both self-injurious and suicidal behaviors, but reasons for these disparities are poorly understood.


OBJECTIVE
To test the association between socially based stressors (eg, victimization, discrimination) and self-injurious behavior, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt.


METHODS
A national sample of college-attending 18- to 24-year-olds.


METHODS
Random or census samples from postsecondary educational institutions that administered the National College Health Assessment during the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 semesters.


RESULTS
Sexual minorities reported more socially based stressors than heterosexuals. Bisexuals exhibited greatest prevalence of self-injurious and suicidal behaviors. In adjusted models, intimate partner violence was most consistently associated with self-injurious behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual minorities' elevated risks of self-injurious and suicidal behaviors may stem from higher exposure to socially based stressors. Within-group differences among sexual minorities offer insight to specific risk factors that may contribute to elevated self-injurious and suicidal behaviors in sexual minority populations.
Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. john blosnich@urmc.rochester.edu
John
J
Blosnich
Robert
R
Bossarte
D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011287:Prejudice; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult