Sl. Hershberger et al., PREDICTORS OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG GAY, LESBIAN, AND BISEXUAL YOUTH, Journal of adolescent research, 12(4), 1997, pp. 477-497
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.