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Cited by 253LGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicySuicide and Self-Harm StudiesGender, Sexuality, and Education

Estimating the Risk of Attempted Suicide Among Sexual Minority Youths: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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di Giacomo, Ester, Krausz, Micheal, Colmegna, Fabrizia, Aspesi, Flora, Clerici, Massimo·2018·JAMA Pediatrics
DOI 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.2731PMC PMC6583682
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Abstract

Importance: Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among adolescents. Sexual minority individuals are at a higher risk of suicide and attempted suicide, but a precise and systematic evaluation of this risk among sexual minority youths has not been documented to our knowledge. Objective: To examine the risk of attempted suicide among sexual minority adolescents, differentiating for each sexual minority group. Data Sources: Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO) were searched for articles published through April 30, 2017, with the following search terms: heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, adolescents, teens, and attempted suicide. Study Selection: Studies that reported attempted suicide in sexual minority adolescents compared with heterosexual peers were included. Thirty-five studies satisfied criteria for inclusion of 764 records identified. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Pooled analyses were based on odds ratios (ORs), with relevant 95% CIs, weighting each study with inverse variance models with random effects. Risk of publication bias and analysis of heterogeneity through univariable and multivariable meta-regressions were also rated. Main Outcomes and Measures: The evaluation of increased odds of attempted suicide among sexual minority youths compared with heterosexual peers. Results: Thirty-five studies reported in 22 articles that involved a total of 2 378 987 heterosexual and 113 468 sexual minority adolescents (age range, 12-20 years) were included in the analysis. Sexual minority youths were generally at higher risk of attempted suicide (OR, 3.50; 95% CI, 2.98-4.12; c2 = 3074.01; P < .001; I2 = 99%). If estimated in each sexual minority group, the OR was 3.71 in the homosexual group (95% CI, 3.15-4.37; c2 = 825.20; P < .001; I2 = 97%) and 4.87 in the bisexual group (95% CI, 4.76-4.98; c2 = 980.02; P < .001; I2 = 98%); transgender youths were described as an individual group in only 1 study, which reported an OR of 5.87 (95% CI, 3.51-9.82). Meta-regressions weighted for the study weight highlighted that the presence of young participants (12 years old) was associated with heterogeneity in the bisexual group, whereas the year of sampling was associated with heterogeneity in the whole group when combined with other covariates. Conclusions and Relevance: Our findings suggest that youths with nonheterosexual identity have a significantly higher risk of life-threatening behavior compared with their heterosexual peers. Public awareness is important, and a careful evaluation of supportive strategies (eg, support programs, counseling, and destigmatizing efforts) should be part of education and public health planning.

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  • The prevalence of mental ill health and suicidal risk is substantially higher in LGBTIQA+ and gender-diverse young people compared with their non-LGBTIQA+ and non-gender-diverse peers.

    “The prevalence of mental ill health and suicidal risk is substantially higher in LGBTIQA+ and gender-diverse young people compared with their non-LGBTIQA+ and non-gender-diverse peers. 155-157”

    From The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on youth mental health (2024) · cites this paper as [155]

    The ‘Prevalence of Attempted Suicide in Different Sexual Minority Groups’ section (page not available) reports substantially higher odds of attempted suicide for homosexual, bisexual, and transgender youths than for heterosexual peers. The paper does not establish higher prevalence of mental ill health or address every identity covered by the broader LGBTIQA+ and gender-diverse categories. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Authors
di Giacomo, E., Krausz, M., Colmegna, F., Aspesi, F., & Clerici, M.
Affiliations
  • School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • Psychiatric Department, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Monza, Monza, Italy
  • University of Milano-Bicocca (IT)
ORCID
Venue
JAMA Pediatrics
Publisher
American Medical Association (AMA)
Published
2018-12-01
Volume
172
Issue
12
Pages
1145
ISSN
  • 1072-4710 (ISSN-L)
  • 2168-6203
DOI
10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.2731
PMC
PMC6583682
OpenAlex
W2897499017
Cited by
253
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 37 · 2025: 39 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 1
FWCI
2.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BOA (University of Milano-Bicocca) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Sexuality, and Education
Keywords
suicide attempts, sexual minority adolescents, suicide risk, sexual orientation, homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender youth, heterosexual comparison, adolescent mental health, sexual minority health disparities, gender identity, sexual minority stigma
MeSH terms
Sexual and Gender Minorities, Adolescent, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Suicide, Attempted, Prevalence, Young Adult

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