Suicidality Among LGBTQ Youth: A Meta-Analytic Review of Risk Factors

PRESENTATION TYPE: Individual Paper

CATEGORY/THEME: Building Healthier Communities through Investments in Prevention

TITLE: Suicidality among LGBTQ youth: A meta-analytic review of risk factors

ABSTRACT BODY:

Suicide among U.S. youth is a major public health issue. It is the second leading cause of death for all youths aged 15-24 years (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) youth are at a significantly higher risk for suicidal ideation and behavior (Liu & Mustanski, 2012; Ybarra, Mitchell, Kosciw, & Korchmaros, 2015; D’Augelli, Hershberger, & Pilkington, 2001). One cross-sectional study completed in 2009 reported that 45% of LGBQ youth had attempted suicide (Child Welfare League of America, 2009). Part of the reasoning as to why this disparity exists speaks to unique challenges LGBQ youth face. For example, LGBQ youth are often exposed to ostracism, stressors related to their identities, unique developmental challenges, as well as uncertainties regarding their identities (Mustanski, Birkett, Greene, Hatzenbuehler, & Newcomb, 2014; Meyer, 2003). However, despite the risks and challenges, not all LGBQ youth present with mental health issues and the disparities are not well understood (Mustanski, Newcomb, & Garofalo, 2011; Robinson & Espelage, 2011; Savin-Williams & Ream, 2003). Hatzenbuehler (2011) posits that appreciating risk and protective factors as well as contexts would augment our understanding.

It is critical to understand factors specific to LGBQ youth suicidality and the extant literature is lacking. Often the discourse explains that suicide is complex and may vary as a function of many other factors. As such, in an attempt to synthesize our knowledge surrounding risk factors of LGBQ youth suicidality, this study offers results from a systematic review and meta-analysis of all of the available and pertinent research. To be included in the analysis, the study had to examine (1) suicidality among LGBQ youth (i.e., aged 13-24 years). To find these studies, a number of social science platforms were used to examine the existing published and non-published research. Our approach was as comprehensive as possible with regards to nomenclature (Lee, Ylioja, Lackey, 2016).

Results from 26 studies suggested that the most profound risk factors for suicidality were victimization, psychological distress, housing status, a lack of community, as well as other mental health issues such as internalizing symptoms. Implications for policy and programs are discussed.