Suicidal Ideation and Attempt Among Adolescents Reporting “Unsure” Sexual Identity or Heterosexual Identity Plus Same-Sex Attraction or Behavior: Forgotten Groups?

Background Behavioural and other aspects of sexuality are not always consistent. This study describes the prevalence and overlap of same-sex and other-sex attraction and experience and of different sexual identities in Australia. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years recruited by landline and mobile phone random-digit dialling with a response rate (participation rate among eligible people) of 66.2%. Respondents were asked about their sexual identity (‘Do you think of yourself as’ heterosexual/straight, homosexual/gay, bisexual, etc.) and the sex of people with whom they had ever had sexual contact and to whom they had felt sexually attracted. Results: Men and women had different patterns of sexual identity. Although the majority of people identified as heterosexual (97% men, 96% women), women were more likely than men to identify as bisexual. Women were less likely than men to report exclusively other-sex or same-sex attraction and experience; 9% of men and 19% of women had some history of same-sex attraction and/or experience. Sexual attraction and experience did not necessarily correspond. Homosexual/gay identity was more common among men with tertiary education and living in cities and less common among men with blue-collar jobs. Many gay men (53%) and lesbians (76%) had some experience with an other-sex partner. More women identified as lesbian or bisexual than in 2001–02. Similarly, more women reported same-sex experience and same-sex attraction. Conclusion: In Australia, men are more likely than women to report exclusive same-sex attraction and experience, although women are more likely than men to report any non-heterosexual identity, experience and attraction. Whether this is a feature of the plasticity of female sexuality or due to lesser stigma than for men is unknown.

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Sexual Identity Development and Synthesis among LGB-Identified and LGB Dis-Identified Persons

Journal of Psychology and Theology ◽

10.1177/009164710503300101 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 3-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Mark A. Yarhouse ◽

Erica S. N. Tan ◽

Lisa M. Pawlowski

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Identity Development ◽

Sexual Identity ◽

Same Sex ◽

Multiple Outcomes ◽

Sexual Identity Development ◽

Religiously Affiliated ◽

Sex Attraction ◽

Over Time ◽

Identity Synthesis

What are the key milestone events that facilitate sexual identity among persons who experience same-sex attraction? Do those milestone events lead to one outcome, or are multiple outcomes possible with respect to how sexual identity develops and synthesizes over time? This initial pilot study compared 14 religiously-affiliated persons who integrated their experiences of same-sex attraction into a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity synthesis, with 14 religiously-affiliated persons who dis-identified with a LGB-affirming ideology and pursued an alternative identity synthesis. We identified influences that facilitated an individual identifying with LGB-affirming ideologies and the individuals/subcultures that embrace such ideologies, and influences that facilitated an individual dis-identifying with LGB-affirming ideologies and the individuals/subcultures that embrace such ideologies.

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The association of bullying with suicide ideation and attempt among adolescents with different dimensions of sexual orientation

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.984 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S71-S71 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

R. Montoro ◽

K. Igartua ◽

B.D. Thombs

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Reference Group ◽

Two Dimensions ◽

Self Report ◽

Same Sex ◽

Sex Attraction ◽

Increased Risk

IntroductionSexual minority youth are at increased risk for bullying and suicide, but they are heterogeneous in their sexual orientation dimensions (attraction, behavior and identity).ObjectiveTo compare the association of bullying and suicide parameters between (1) heterosexually identified students without same-sex attractions or behaviors (2) heterosexually identified students with same-sex attractions or behaviors and (3) non-heterosexually identified students.MethodsThe Quebec Youth Risk Behavior Survey was a self-report questionnaire given to 1852 students 14–18 years old.ResultsThe heterosexually identified students without same-sex attraction or behavior, and no bullying, was our reference group. When these students had bullying, the likelihood of suicidal ideation was double, but their likelihood of suicide attempts was the same. For non-heterosexually identified students, those with no bullying were twice as likely, and those with bullying were four times as likely to have suicidal ideation. When these students had no bullying, they were not more likely to have suicide attempts, but they were almost three times as likely when they had bullying. Heterosexually identified students with same-sex attraction or behavior were never more likely on any of the suicide measures.ConclusionThis study was the first to show that adolescents with a non-heterosexual identity will have a disproportionately greater likelihood in their suicide parameters when subject to bullying, than heterosexually identified students with or without same-sex attraction or behavior, suggesting that these latter two dimensions were non-contributory to suicide risk. The significance of identity as a predictor of suicidal ideation and behavior will be discussed.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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