Table 3:
Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth: studies reporting suicide attempt incidence.
|
|
| Related Factors/Reasons:
Attempted suicide incidence for for sexually abused (76%), physically abused
(72%), emotionally / psychologically abused (56%). Reasons for attempt:
confusion / difficulty with sexual orientation (29%), sadness / depression
(18%), parental abuse (16%), fear of rejection (15%), hopelessness / no
purpose (9%), 75% of PTS members had had a plan for suicide, but only 15/83
(19.5%) had attempted suicide, while 27/46 (60%) of youth not attending
PTS (Pink Triangle Services - for youth) had attempted suicide.NOTE: This
youth group, HMI and Horizon (see below) report the lowest attempted suicide
rate for GLB youth samples. |
|
| Related Factors/Reasons:
Emotional isolation for 95%. Sexually abused, 22%. Rape common, especially
in institutions. If known to be GB, "rape probable rather than possible"
in group homes / shelters. Lesbians also at risk for rape. HMI reported
having 9 youth in treatment for a suicide attempt but they had not yet
revealed their sexual orientation to therapist. |
|
|
26. Herdt, Gilbert, and Boxer, Andrew. Children of Horizon: How Gay
and Lesbian Teens Are Leading a New Way Out of the Closet. Beacon Press,
Boston, Mass., 1993.
27. Magnuson, Curtis. Lesbian and gay youth in Ottawa: the importance
of community, 1992. Available from Pink Triangle Services, Ottawa.
Also available as a Master's thesis, Carleton University, Ottawa.
28. Martin, AD., and Hetrick, ES. The stigmatization of the gay and
lesbian adolescent. Journal of Homosexuality, 1988; 15(1/2): 163-183.
32. Roesler, T, and Deisher, RW. Youthful Male Homosexuality. JAMA
(Journal
of the American Medical Association), 1972; 219(8): 1018-1023.
