Sexual Orientation
and Suicide Risk in Adolescents
The Research
For at least 20 years, the role of sexual orientation and gender identity
as risk factors for adolescent suicidal behavior has been debated without
reaching consensus as to the degree of risk.
The most extensive study to date comes from the National Longitudinal
Study of Adolescent Health, the most comprehensive study of adolescents
conducted in the United States. The conclusion from that study was that
youths with same-sex orientation are more than two times more likely
than their peers to attempt suicide. (1) It has also been established
in many studies that LGBTQ youth are at a slightly greater risk for suicide
and experience a significantly greater risk for non-fatal suicidal behavior.
However, since death certificates do not include information on sexual
orientation and since psychological autopsies are rarely performed, it
is impossible to determine the number of deaths by suicide among sexual
minority youth.
Risk Factors
Some of the reasons for this elevated risk include peer rejection, serious
problems with parents, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse by family
and/or peers, and vicarious traumatization (exposure to abuse, anti-gay
slurs by family and friends directed at others perceived to be LGBTQ.)
In addition, self-reporting by youth who identify themselves as having
same-sex romantic attractions or relationships indicate that their critical
risk factors for their suicidal behavior include substance abuse, depression,
hopelessness, victimization, and/or the suicide of a family member or
close friend.
These risk factors are common to ALL suicidal adolescents. The newest
research seems to be indicating that the groups at highest risk are the
transsexual youth who tend to be universally rejected, and youths who
are gender non-conforming (very “feminine” boys and “masculine” girls)
no matter what their sexual orientation.
Cultural scripts of gender play a huge role in adolescent’s decisions
about suicidal behavior, and cultural messages are particularly powerful
for those in the process of defining their personal identities. While
it is certainly important that the special issues of LGBTQ youth are
addressed, this must be done carefully so as not to “normalize” the
suicidal behavior, that is to communicate that LGBTQ are likely to become
suicidal. Also, there are many other youths at risk for suicide and ALL
adolescents who have the risk factors mentioned above deserve careful
assessment, intervention and prevention efforts.
(1) Russell, Stephen T., PhD, and Joyner, Kara, PhD. Adolescent
Sexual Orientation and Suicide Risk: Evidence from a National Study,
American Journal of Public Health, pp.1276-1281, August 2001, Vol.
91, No.8.
