Adolescent Sexual Orientation and Suicide Risk: Evidence From a National Study
Stephen T. Russell, PhD and
Kara Joyner, PhD
Stephen T. Russell is with the Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, Davis. Kara Joyner is with the Department of Policy and Analysis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Stephen T. Russell, PhD, Department of Human and Community Development, University of California, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616-8523.
Objectives. Sexual orientation has been a debated risk factorfor adolescent suicidality over the past 20 years. This studyexamined the link between sexual orientation and suicidality,using data that are nationally representative and that includeother critical youth suicide risk factors.
Methods. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of AdolescentHealth were examined. Survey logistic regression was used tocontrol for sample design effects.
Results. There is a strong link between adolescent sexual orientationand suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The strong effect of sexualorientation on suicidal thoughts is mediated by critical youthsuicide risk factors, including depression, hopelessness, alcoholabuse, recent suicide attempts by a peer or a family member,and experiences of victimization.
Conclusions. The findings provide strong evidence that sexualminority youths are more likely than their peers to think aboutand attempt suicide.
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