Suicidal as Normal – A Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth Script?

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Silvia Sara Canetto ◽  
Paolo Antonelli ◽  
Anna Ciccotti ◽  
Davide Dettore ◽  
Dorian A. Lamis
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Script Theory ◽  
Total N ◽  
Lgb Youth ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Youth Attitudes ◽  
Heterosexual Youth

Abstract. Background: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth are more likely to report suicidal thoughts and/or behavior (STB) than heterosexual youth. The elevated suicidality of LGB youth is not fully accounted for by sexual-minority stress, according to a meta-analysis. A less-tested explanation is that suicidality has become an expected idiom of LGB youth distress. This explanation is consistent with suicide script theory and evidence that suicidal behavior is most likely when it is relatively acceptable. Aims: Building on suicide script theory and evidence, two studies were designed: one of LGB youth attitudes about suicidal behavior, and the other of LGB youth attitudes about suicidal individuals. Method: Surveys of LGB and heterosexual youth (total N = 300; M age = 20; 51% female) were conducted. Results: LGB youth were more accepting of and empathic toward suicidal behavior than heterosexual youth. They also viewed suicidal individuals as more emotionally adjusted. Limitations: Attitudes were not examined by sexual-minority subgroups. Conclusion: LGB youth's understanding attitudes may translate into less judgmental behavior toward suicidal peers, but also into normalizing suicidality as a way to express distress and cope with life problems. There may be utility in evaluating LGB youth suicide attitudes in suicide prevention initiatives.

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in the Justice System: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 999-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa R. Jonnson ◽  
Brian M. Bird ◽  
Shanna M. Y. Li ◽  
Jodi L. Viljoen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Minority Youth ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Theoretical models, such as the minority stress model, suggest that sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth may be overrepresented in the justice system. However, few studies have examined rates of SGM youth in the system, and even fewer have compared them with rates of these youth in the broader community. To obtain a more accurate estimate, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 31,258 youths and compared rates of SGM youth in the justice system with those in the community. Contrary to claims that SGM youth are overrepresented generally, this review suggests that sexual minority girls, specifically, are disproportionally involved in the justice system. Rates of involvement appeared to differ across ethnic subgroups of sexual minority youth, and evidence is inconclusive regarding the prevalence of gender minority youth in the system. Implications of these findings for researchers and justice system professionals are discussed.

scholarly journals Romantic Attraction and Substance Use in 15-Year-Old Adolescents from Eight European Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3063 ◽  
Author(s):  
András Költő ◽  
Alina Cosma ◽  
Honor Young ◽  
Nathalie Moreau ◽  
Daryna Pavlova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Romantic Attraction ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Multiple Substance ◽  
Hbsc Study ◽  
Heterosexual Youth ◽  
Opposite Gender

Sexual minority youth are at higher risk of substance use than heterosexual youth. However, most evidence in this area is from North America, and it is unclear whether the findings can be generalized to other cultures and countries. In this investigation, we used data from the 2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study to compare substance use in same- and both-gender attracted 15-year-old adolescents from eight European countries (n = 14,545) to that of their peers who reported opposite-gender attraction or have not been romantically attracted to anyone. Both-gender attracted, and to a lesser extent, same-gender attracted adolescents were significantly more likely to smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol, get drunk and use cannabis, or be involved in multiple substance use in the last 30 days compared to their opposite-gender attracted peers. Those adolescents who have not been in love had significantly lower odds for substance use than all other youth. The pattern of results remained the same after adjusting for country, gender and family affluence. These findings are compatible with the minority stress and romantic stress theories. They suggest that sexual minority stigma (and love on its own) may contribute to higher substance use among adolescents in European countries.

Minority Stress and Substance Use in Sexual Minority Adolescents: A Meta-analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy T. Goldbach ◽  
Emily E. Tanner-Smith ◽  
Meredith Bagwell ◽  
Shannon Dunlap
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Minority Adolescents

Elevated Rates of Suicidal Behavior in Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth

Crisis ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Bagley ◽  
Pierre Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Community Values ◽  
The Us ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Bisexual Youth ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Heterosexual Youth

Both clinical and epidemiological literature point to elevated rates of suicidal behaviors in gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth (GLBY). Recent North American and New Zealand studies of large populations (especially the US Youth Risk Behavior Surveys from several states) indicate that gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents (males in particular) can have rates of serious suicide attempts at least four times those of apparently heterosexual youth. There are various reasons why this figure is likely to be an underestimate. Reasons for these elevated rates of suicidal behavior include a climate of homophobic persecution in schools, and sometimes in family and community—values and actions that stigmatize homosexuality and that the youth who has not yet “come out” has to endure in silence.

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