Suicidality and Depression Disparities between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Youth: A Meta-Analytic Review

By Michael P Marshal, Laura J Dietz, Mark S Friedman, R. Stall, Helen Smith, J. Mcginley, B. Thoma, P. Murray, A. D’augelli, D. Brent. Journal of Adolescent Health, 2011

1,169 citations recorded by the source corpus.

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.

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/89fe3d6b202bee0fb63acb99536174b0c2867ec8

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

Citations in the corpus

The AFFIRM open pilot feasibility study: A brief affirmative cognitive behavioral coping skills group intervention for sexual and gender minority youth. (2016, background): “These experiences exacerbate the risk of psychological distress, including depression (Martin-Storey & Crosnoe, 2012; King et al., 2008) and increased suicidality (Marshal et al., 2011; Marshal et al., 2013).”
Minority stress and mental health in lesbian, gay male, and bisexual youths: A meta-analysis (2019, background): “In addition, some studies reported more mental health symptoms in bisexual (Marshal et al., 2011; Robin et al., 2002), female (Lucassen et al.”
Gay Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sexual Minority Youth: A Clinical Adaptation (2013, background): “The increased risk for negative outcomes and maladaptive behaviors among SMY can be explained, in part, by minority stress theory (Marshal et al. 2011).”
General and LGBTQ-specific factors associated with mental health and suicide risk among LGBTQ students (2019, background): “Recent meta-analyses (Marshal et al. 2011; Miranda-Mendizábal et al. 2017) reported that sexual minority youth were two to three times as likely to be at suicide risk.”
Anxiety and Depression Across Gender and Sexual Minorities: Implications for Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, Pansexual, Demisexual, Asexual, Queer, and Questioning Individuals (2019, background): “…poorer outcomes on measures of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems when compared with heterosexual and cisgender counterparts (Chakraborty, Mcmanus, Brugha, Bebbington, & King, 2011; Grant et al., 2014; Marshal et al., 2008; Marshal et al., 2011; McNeil, Ellis, & Eccles, 2017).”
Mental health of sexual minorities. A systematic review (2015, background): “A few meta-analyses reported statistically significant disparities for SM compared to heterosexual individuals for most assessed mental health disorders, substance use problems, and suicidality (King et al., 2008; Marshal et al., 2008, 2011; Plöderl et al., 2006).”
Peer Victimization and Dating Violence Among LGBTQ Youth (2018, background): “Many studies have found that LGBTQ youth are at a significant higher risk for suicidal ideation and behavior (Eisenberg & Resnick, 2006; Liu & Mustanski, 2012; Marshal et al., 2011; Ybarra, Mitchell, Kosciw, & Korchmaros, 2015).”
Teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and supportive behaviors toward LGBT students: Relationship to Gay-Straight Alliances, antibullying policy, and teacher training (2016, background): “Rates of suicidal ideation, attempts, and suicide by LGB youth are two to three times higher than for heterosexual youth (Marshal et al., 2011).”