Methods of attempted suicide and risk factors in LGBTQ+ youth. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Yuanyuan; Feng, Yi; Han, Meng; Duan, Zhizhou; Wilson, Amanda; Fish, Julie; Sun, Shufang; Chen, Runsen
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 122(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: LGBTQ+ -- Youth -- Suicide attempts -- Childhood trauma -- Cross-sectional survey; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105352
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to identify patterns of attempted suicide methods and risk factors in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other gender/sexual minority (LGBTQ+) youth by comparing them to non-LGBTQ+ youth. Methods: A total of 9281 Chinese college students completed the study, 8313 participants were included in the analysis of which 1032 were LGBTQ+ youth and 7281 were non-LGBTQ+ youth. Sociodemographic information was collected along with several scales and self-report items. This included anxiety scores using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7, depression scores using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, mania score using the Altman Self-Rating Mania (ASRM), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) victimization using the World Health Organization's definition. Self-report items were used to further collect history of non-fatal self-injurious behaviors, parents' related risk factors, history of suicide attempts, and methods of attempted suicide. Results: The prevalence of attempted suicide in LGBTQ+ youth was 4.2%, which in comparison was more than four times higher than non-LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ+ youth 19–22 years old were at a significantly higher risk of attempting suicide than non-LGBTQ+ youth. The most common method of attempted suicide was cutting of the wrist, followed by jumping from a high height. There were some common suicide risk factors that were similar between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ youth, such as living in a rural area, having a history of a psychiatric disorder, and having a history of non-fatal self-injurious behaviors. The associated increased risk factors for LGBTQ+ youth were having a higher score for CTQ-emotional abuse and CTQ-sexual abuse. Limitation: The causality of risk factors to attempted suicide cannot be assumed due to the cross-sectional nature of the survey. Also, due to the relatively small sample size within the subgroups, we did not assess LGBTQ+ youth separately according to the different sexuality groups. Conclusion: LGBTQ+ youth showed a higher prevalence of attempted suicide when compared to their heterosexual peers. Emotional and sexual abuse showed higher rates among LGBTQ+ youth, the cumulative effects of childhood trauma might explain the difficulties in developing healthy coping styles. Highlights: LGBTQ+ youth showed alarmingly high prevalence of suicide attempt. Emotional abuse and sexual abuse during childhood were unique suicide risk factors of LGBTQ+ youth. Childhood trauma has an important impact on the suicide risk of LGBTQ + youth. 19–22 years old LGBTQ+ youth were at significant higher risk of suicide attempted.