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Cited by 1,215LGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicySuicide and Self-Harm StudiesChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Suicidality and depression disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual youth: A meta-analytic review

Open access
Marshal, Michael P., Dietz, Laura J., Friedman, Mark S., Stall, Ron, Smith, Helen A., McGinley, James, Thoma, Brian C., Murray, Pamela J. +2 more·2011·Journal of Adolescent Health
DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.02.005PMC PMC3649127
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Abstract

Purpose To examine disparities between sexual minority youth (SMY) and heterosexual youth in rates of suicidality and depression symptoms.Methods Separate meta-analyses were conducted to examine suicidality and depression disparities. Studies were included if the average age of the participants was <18 years, and if suicidality or depression symptoms were compared across SMY and heterosexual youth.Results SMY reported significantly higher rates of suicidality (odds ratio [OR] = 2.92) and depression symptoms (standardized mean difference, d = .33) as compared with the heterosexual youth. Disparities increased with the increase in the severity of suicidality (ideation [OR = 1.96], intent/plans [OR = 2.20], suicide attempts [OR = 3.18], suicide attempts requiring medical attention [OR = 4.17]). Effects did not vary across gender, recruitment source, and sexual orientation definition.Conclusions Disparities in suicidality and depression may be influenced by negative experiences including discrimination and victimization. Clinicians should assess sexual orientation, analyze psychosocial histories to identify associated risk factors, and promote prevention and intervention opportunities for SMY and their families.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.02.005

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  • The pooled OR for the association between sexual orientation and youth suicidality (behavior and suicidal ideation) is 2.92.

    “Marshal et al. (2011) studied the association between sexual orientation and youth suicidality (behavior and suicidal ideation) through 19 studies with 122,955 participants, revealing a pooled OR of 2.92.”

    From Risk and Protective Factors of Self-harm and Suicidality in Adolescents: An Umbrella Review with Meta-Analysis (2024) · cites this paper as Marshal et al. (2011)

    The Results > Suicidality section reports 19 studies and an overall weighted OR of 2.92 (95% CI 2.11–4.03). The Method > Coding of Studies section includes suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior in its definition of suicidality. Our copy does not substantiate the citing sentence’s total of 122,955 participants (searched: “122,955,” “122955,” and sample sizes). (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Depression disproportionately affects young people who identify as LGBTQ.

    “Depression is a debilitating and burdensome mental health disorder that disproportionately affects young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) [1,2,3,4].”

    From Findings from a feasibility study of an adapted cognitive behavioral therapy group intervention to reduce depression among lgbtq (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) young people (2019) · cites this paper as [2]

    The Discussion (Clinical Implications for Adolescent Mental Health Services; page unavailable) reports that sexual minority youth have a substantially heightened risk of depression. The Introduction defines that group by same-sex attraction or behavior or gay/lesbian identity, and the Results consider bisexuality status. The paper does not establish the disparity for transgender or queer youth as such, so the broader LGBTQ wording exceeds its evidence. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • There is a significant association between bisexual youth and suicidal behaviors and ideations (OR 4.92).

    “The review also investigated specifically bisexual youth, including four studies with 42,413 participants, and found a significant association between bisexual youth and suicidal behaviors and ideations (OR: 4.92) (Tables 1, 2).”

    From Risk and Protective Factors of Self-harm and Suicidality in Adolescents: An Umbrella Review with Meta-Analysis (2024) · cites this paper as Marshal et al. (2011)

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1 of the 60 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [15]Meyer IH Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence. Psych Bull 2003 129 674 697 PMC2072932 12956539

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Authors
Marshal, M. P., Dietz, L. J., Friedman, M. S., Stall, R., Smith, H. A., McGinley, J., Thoma, B. C., Murray, P. J., D'Augelli, A. R., & Brent, D. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
  • University of Utah (US)
  • West Virginia University (US)
Corresponding author
Marshal, Michael P.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Adolescent Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-08
Volume
49
Issue
2
Pages
115-123
ISSN
1054-139X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.02.005
PMC
PMC3649127
OpenAlex
W2097960714
Cited by
1,215
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 46 · 2025: 75 · 2024: 90 · 2023: 108 · 2022: 113 · 2021: 139 · 2020: 147 · 2019: 92 · 2018: 81 · 2017: 80 · 2016: 81 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 49 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 14
FWCI
4.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • D-Scholarship@Pitt (University of Pittsburgh) (acceptedVersion)
  • Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) (submittedVersion)
  • UNC Libraries
Funders
National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA026312, R01DA030385)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
suicidality, depression, sexual minority youth, heterosexual youth, disparity, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, sexual orientation, discrimination, victimization, adolescent mental health
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Bisexuality, Depression, Female, Homosexuality, Humans, Male, Suicide, Suicide, Attempted, Odds Ratio, Sexuality, Heterosexuality

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