PREDICTORS OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG GAY, LESBIAN, AND BISEXUAL YOUTH

This research identified predictors of past suicide attempts in 194 le sbian, gay, and bisexual youth, 15 through 21 years of age, who attend ed social and recreational groups in urban community settings. In comp arison to youth who made no suicide attempts, attempters reported that they had disclosed more completely their sexual orientation to others , had lost more friends because of their disclosures, and had experien ced more victimization due to their sexual orientation. Suicide attemp ters had lower self-esteem and acknowledged more menial health problem s. The loss of friends due to youth's sexual orientation, and current suicidal ideation were among the strongest predictors of suicide attem pts. Youth who reported early awareness of their sexual orientation, d isclosure to family and friends, peer rejection, and victimization bas ed on their sexual orientation may be at risk for mental health proble ms.