Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempts & Non-Suicidal Self-Injury among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Heterosexual Adults: Findings from an Australian National Study
OBJECTIVES:
This
study investigated associations between sexual orientation and measures of
suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury in Australian adults. Previous studies
of sexual orientation and suicidality have been limited by unclear
conceptualisations of suicidal intent, failure to differentiate between
homosexuality and bisexuality, inattention to gender differences and use of
convenience-based samples.
METHODS:
A large
(N = 10,531) representative national sample of Australian adults was used to
investigate associations between sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual,
bisexual) and (1) suicidal ideation, (2) attempted suicide and (3) non-suicidal
self-injury, for males and females separately, in a series of sequentially
adjusted logistic regression models.
RESULTS:
Sexual
minority participants were at greater risk of suicidality and self-injury than
heterosexuals, after adjusting for age and other covariates, with patterns of
risk differing by sexual orientation and gender. Compared with their
heterosexual counterparts, gay men, but not bisexual men, were more likely to
report suicidal ideation (odds ratio = 3.05, 95% confidence interval = [1.65,
5.60]) and suicide attempts (odds ratio = 4.16, confidence interval = [2.18,
7.93]). Bisexual women, but not lesbian women, were more likely to report
suicidal ideation (odds ratio = 4.40, confidence interval = [3.00, 6.37]) and
suicide attempts (odds ratio = 4.46, confidence interval = [2.41, 8.24]).
Neither bisexual nor gay men were more likely than heterosexual men to report
self-injury. However, bisexual women, but not lesbian women, were more likely
than heterosexual women to report self-injury (odds ratio = 19.59, confidence
interval = [9.05, 42.40]). Overall, bisexual females were at greatest risk of
suicidality and self-injury.
CONCLUSION:
Clinicians
working with sexual minority populations are encouraged to openly discuss
suicidal and self-injurious thoughts and behaviours with their clients and may
consider using therapeutic strategies to reduce internalised stigma and enhance
personal and social resources.
- 1Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.
- 2Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia a.page@westernsydney.edu.au.
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