Suicide among persons who entered same-sex and opposite-sex marriage in Denmark and Sweden, 1989–2016: a binational, register-based cohort study

BackgroundPeople belonging to sexual minority groups have higher levels of suicidality than heterosexuals. However, findings regarding suicide death are sparse. Using unique national data from two countries, we investigated whether individuals entering a same-sex marriage (SSM), a proxy group of sexual minority individuals, had higher suicide rates than those entering opposite-sex marriage (OSM).MethodsA cohort study of all males and females who entered an SSM (n=28 649) or OSM (n=3 918 617) in Denmark and Sweden during 1989–2016 was conducted. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for suicide were calculated using adjusted Poisson regression models.ResultsIn total, 97 suicides occurred among individuals who had entered an SSM compared with 6074 among those who entered an OSM, corresponding to an adjusted IRR of 2.3 (95% CI 1.9 to 2.8). For people who entered SSM, a 46% decline was noted over time from an IRR of 2.8 (95% CI 1.9 to 4.0) during 1989–2002 to 1.5 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.9) during 2003–2016. The excess suicide mortality was present in all age groups but most pronounced among younger individuals aged 18–34 years of age (IRR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5 to 4.8) and females (IRR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8 to 3.9).ConclusionThis large register-based study found higher suicide rates among individuals who entered an SSM, compared with those who entered an OSM. A lower suicide rate was noted for individuals in SSMs in recent years. More research is needed to identify the unique suicide risk and protective factors for sexual minority people.

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Sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method in 58 countries between 2000 and 2015

Injury Prevention ◽

10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043601 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. injuryprev-2019-043601 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Yue Wu ◽

David C Schwebel ◽

Yun Huang ◽

Peishan Ning ◽

Peixia Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Binomial ◽

Age Groups ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Suicide Method ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Males And Females ◽

Binomial Models ◽

Country Specific

ObjectiveTo examine recent changes in sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method across countries.MethodsUsing mortality data from the WHO mortality database, we compared sex-specific, age-specific and country-specific suicide mortality by method between 2000 and 2015. We considered seven major suicide methods: poisoning by pesticides, all other poisoning, firearms and explosives, hanging, jumping from height, drowning and other methods. Changes in suicide mortality were quantified using negative binomial models among three age groups (15–44 years, 45–64 years, and 65 years and above) for males and females separately.ResultsSuicide mortality declined substantially for both sexes and all three age groups studied in 37 of the 58 included countries between 2000 and 2015. Males consistently had much higher suicide mortality rates than females in all 58 countries. Hanging was the most common suicide method in the majority of 58 countries. Sex-specific suicide mortality varied across 58 countries significantly for all three age groups. The spectrum of suicide method generally remained stable for 28 of 58 included countries; notable changes occurred in the other 30 countries, including especially Colombia, Finland and Trinidad and Tobago.ConclusionLikely as a result of prevention efforts as well as sociodemographic changes, suicide mortality decreased substantially in 37 of the included 58 countries between 2000 and 2015. Further actions are needed to explore specific drivers of the recent changes (particularly for increases in eight countries), to understand substantial disparities in suicide rates across countries, and to develop interventions to reduce suicide rates globally.

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Trends in Suicide Mortality in Montenegro From 2000 to 2018

10.21203/rs.3.rs-89461/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lidija Injac Stevović ◽

Selman Repišti ◽

Tamara Radojičić ◽

Olivera Injac

Keyword(s):

Labor Market ◽

Unemployment Rate ◽

Suicide Rate ◽

Ecological Study ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Average Salary ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

Males And Females ◽

Methods Of Suicide ◽

Cultural Features

Abstract Background: This is an ecological study that analyzes suicides committed in Montenegro during the 2000-2018 period, taking into account gender, age and methods of suicide. Methods: Suicide rates and trends up until 2009 were obtained from the official registers of Bureau of Statistics of Montenegro (MONSTAT) while the later data were obtained from the Department of Interior’s. MONSTAT also provided data on unemployment and average salary. As per statistical methods, descriptive and correlations were calculated. Results: The average crude suicide rate was 21.06, for males 29.93 and for females 12.42. Crude suicide rates were not associated with unemployment rate or average salary. However, the unemployment rate was significantly correlated with lethal methods of suicide, namely suicide by firearm and by hanging. Average net salary was negatively correlated with suicide by firearm. Conclusions: The ratio of males and females who committed suicide was 2.41. In the last three years, this ratio continues to rise in favor of males (reaching 4.29 in 2018). This could be explained by specific cultural features where males are expected to be the main financial contributors to the households. The labor market of Montenegro does not offer adequate opportunities to set and maintain a stable economic situation which puts additional pressure and stress on males.

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Large-scale GWAS reveals insights into the genetic architecture of same-sex sexual behavior

Science ◽

10.1126/science.aat7693 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 365 (6456) ◽

pp. eaat7693 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Andrea Ganna ◽

Karin J. H. Verweij ◽

Michel G. Nivard ◽

Robert Maier ◽

Robbee Wedow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behavior ◽

Genetic Architecture ◽

Large Scale ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Same Sex ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome ◽

Number Of Sexual Partners ◽

Opposite Sex ◽

Males And Females

Twin and family studies have shown that same-sex sexual behavior is partly genetically influenced, but previous searches for specific genes involved have been underpowered. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 477,522 individuals, revealing five loci significantly associated with same-sex sexual behavior. In aggregate, all tested genetic variants accounted for 8 to 25% of variation in same-sex sexual behavior, only partially overlapped between males and females, and do not allow meaningful prediction of an individual’s sexual behavior. Comparing these GWAS results with those for the proportion of same-sex to total number of sexual partners among nonheterosexuals suggests that there is no single continuum from opposite-sex to same-sex sexual behavior. Overall, our findings provide insights into the genetics underlying same-sex sexual behavior and underscore the complexity of sexuality.

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Fighting over defence chemicals disrupts mating behaviour

10.1101/2021.02.12.430958 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah Catherine Paul ◽

Caroline Müller

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Early Life ◽

Mating Behaviour ◽

Chemical Defence ◽

Same Sex ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Opposite Sex ◽

Males And Females ◽

Contest Behaviour ◽

Fighting Behaviour

AbstractStudies on intraspecific contest behaviour predominantly focus on contests between individuals of the same sex, however contest behaviour is also expected to occur between individuals of the opposite sex including possible mates. Here we investigate potential trade-offs between mating and fighting behaviour in the turnip sawfly (Athalia rosae). Adults of this species collect chemical defence compounds (clerodanoids) directly from plants but also indirectly by nibbling on conspecifics that have already obtained clerodanoids themselves, a highly aggressive behavioural interaction. An A. rosae individual without clerodanoids may therefore be the potential mate or attacker of an individual of the opposite sex that has gained clerodanoids. We paired males and females with or without clerodanoid access and manipulated body mass differences between the sexes via the early life starvation of females. We show that asymmetrical clerodanoid acquisition between male-female pairs causes an increase in agonistic nibbling behaviour, irrespective of sex. Moreover, fighting over clerodanoids disrupted mating behaviour, and the frequency of aggressive nibbling behaviour in these pairs was determined by the comparative body mass of the attacking individual. Our study highlights the vital importance of investigating agonistic intersex interactions not only over mating but also over resources.

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Risk of epilepsy in opposite-sex and same-sex twins: a twin cohort study

Biology of Sex Differences ◽

10.1186/s13293-018-0179-5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yanyan Mao ◽

Linda Juel Ahrenfeldt ◽

Kaare Christensen ◽

Chunsen Wu ◽

Jakob Christensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Same Sex ◽

Opposite Sex

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Differences in Multimorbidity among Cisgender Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults: Investigating Differences across Age-Groups

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264320983663 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 089826432098366

Author(s):

Billy A. Caceres ◽

Jasmine Travers ◽

Yashika Sharma

Keyword(s):

Sexual Minority ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Age Groups ◽

Behavioral Risk ◽

Lesbian Women ◽

Same Sex ◽

Adverse Health Outcomes ◽

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽

Increased Risk ◽

And Bisexual

Objectives: Despite increased risk for chronic disease, there is limited research that has examined disparities in multimorbidity among sexual minority adults and whether these disparities differ by age. Methods: Data were from the 2014–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We used sex-stratified multinomial logistic regression to examine differences in multimorbidity between sexual minority and heterosexual cisgender adults and whether hypothesized differences varied across age-groups. Results: The sample included 687,151 adults. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults had higher odds of meeting criteria for multimorbidity than same-sex heterosexual adults. These disparities were greater among sexual minority adults under the age of 50 years. Only other non-heterosexual men over the age of 50 years and lesbian women over the age of 80 years were less likely to have multimorbidity than their same-sex heterosexual counterparts. Discussion: Health promotion interventions to reduce adverse health outcomes among sexual minorities across the life span are needed.

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Incidence of schizophrenia and other psychoses in ethnic minority groups: results from the MRC AESOP Study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291706008774 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 36 (11) ◽

pp. 1541-1550 ◽

Cited By ~ 302

Author(s):

PAUL FEARON ◽

JAMES B. KIRKBRIDE ◽

CRAIG MORGAN ◽

PAOLA DAZZAN ◽

KEVIN MORGAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Minority ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Minority Groups ◽

Age Groups ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Psychotic Symptoms ◽

Ethnic Minority Groups ◽

Black Africans ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Rate Ratios

Background. The incidence of schizophrenia in the African-Caribbean population in England is reported to be raised. We sought to clarify whether (a) the rates of other psychotic disorders are increased, (b) whether psychosis is increased in other ethnic minority groups, and (c) whether particular age or gender groups are especially at risk.Method. We identified all people (n=568) aged 16–64 years presenting to secondary services with their first psychotic symptoms in three well-defined English areas (over a 2-year period in Southeast London and Nottingham and a 9-month period in Bristol). Standardized incidence rates and incidence rate ratios (IRR) for all major psychosis syndromes for all main ethnic groups were calculated.Results. We found remarkably high IRRs for both schizophrenia and manic psychosis in both African-Caribbeans (schizophrenia 9·1, manic psychosis 8·0) and Black Africans (schizophrenia 5·8, manic psychosis 6·2) in men and women. IRRs in other ethnic minority groups were modestly increased as were rates for depressive psychosis and other psychoses in all minority groups. These raised rates were evident in all age groups in our study.Conclusions. Ethnic minority groups are at increased risk for all psychotic illnesses but African-Caribbeans and Black Africans appear to be at especially high risk for both schizophrenia and mania. These findings suggest that (a) either additional risk factors are operating in African-Caribbeans and Black Africans or that these factors are particularly prevalent in these groups, and that (b) such factors increase risk for schizophrenia and mania in these groups.

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Social influences on intergroup transfer by pine voles (Microtus pinetorum)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z98-151 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 76 (12) ◽

pp. 2131-2136 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Nancy G Solomon ◽

John G Vandenbergh ◽

William T Sullivan, Jr.

Keyword(s):

Social Influences ◽

Same Sex ◽

Control Groups ◽

Intergroup Transfer ◽

Mating Opportunities ◽

Microtus Pinetorum ◽

Group A ◽

Opposite Sex ◽

Males And Females ◽

Competition For Resources

Selection to obtain mating opportunities is hypothesized to be a major factor in dispersal. Thus, if individuals move to another group or switch nests to maximize their reproductive opportunities, they should move to groups or sites where they minimize competition for resources or mates and where they can find potential mates. We examined movement of pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) in an orchard habitat. Males dispersed later than females, but the two sexes showed similar patterns of movement with respect to conspecifics. Males and females immigrated to territories that contained some opposite-sex conspecifics; they also immigrated to territories without same-sex conspecifics. The latter suggests that they may avoid competitors and move to territories where an opening exists. When female breeders were removed from a social group, a replacement female arrived and began to breed relatively rapidly. In control groups where breeding females were not removed, no replacement females appeared. These results suggest that pine voles, at least females, may monitor vacancies and immigrate if a vacancy appears.

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The Effect of Mood on Opposite-Sex Judgments of Males' Commitment and Females' Sexual Intent

Evolutionary Psychology ◽

10.1177/147470490700500302 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 147470490700500

Author(s):

Shikkiah de Quadros-Wander ◽

Mark Stokes

Keyword(s):

Mood Induction ◽

Negative Mood ◽

Gender Effects ◽

Same Sex ◽

Sexual Intent ◽

Opposite Sex ◽

The Subject ◽

Males And Females ◽

Mood Condition ◽

Gender Specific

Gender differences in perceptions of sexual intent and commitment have been the subject of formal and informal inquiry for considerable time. One evolutionary theory, Error Management Theory (EMT), predicts that opposite-sex perceptions of female sexual intent and male commitment intent reflect intrinsic biases that minimize gender-specific evolutionary costs. The results supporting these hypotheses were obtained from subjects regardless of mood. We hypothesized that mood would influence ratings of sexual and commitment intent. Sixty participants (30 males, 30 females) were recruited and exposed to a positive and negative mood condition in counterbalanced groups using video stimuli. Preliminary analyses found an unexpected effect of order of mood induction, necessitating separate analyses of the Positive-Negative (PN) and Negative-Positive (NP) groups. Contrary to the original study, there were no gender effects. Positive moods led to increased ratings of both sexual and commitment intent across genders. Further, negative to positive mood-change was associated with significantly increased ratings. Both males and females attributed significantly higher sexual intent to same-sex rivals than themselves, but only males assessed themselves as having significantly higher commitment intent than same-sex rivals. The EMT model may require adaptation to acknowledge effects of variables such as mood on its predictions of gender-specific biases.

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