 |
|
Is Sexual Orientation Related to Mental Health Problems and Suicidality in Young People?
David M. Fergusson, PhD;
L. John Horwood, MSc;
Annette L. Beautrais, PhD
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56:876-880.
Background This study examines the extent to which gay, lesbian, and bisexual young people are at increased risk of psychiatric disorder and suicidal behaviors using data gathered on a New Zealand birth cohort studied to age 21 years.
Methods Data were gathered during the course of the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 21-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 children born in Christchurch, New Zealand. At 21 years of age, 1007 sample members were questioned about their sexual orientation and relationships with same-sex partners since the age of 16 years. Twenty-eight subjects (2.8%) were classified as being of gay, lesbian, or bisexual sexual orientation. Over the period from age 14 to 21 years, data were gathered on a range of psychiatric disorders that included major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, conduct disorder, and substance use disorders. Data were also gathered on suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.
Results Gay, lesbian, and bisexual young people were at increased risks of major depression (odds ratio [OR], 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-9.3), generalized anxiety disorder (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2-6.5), conduct disorder (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.7-8.7), nicotine dependence (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 2.3-10.9), other substance abuse and/or dependence (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.9-4.2), multiple disorders (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 2.4-14.8), suicidal ideation (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 2.4-12.2), and suicide attempts (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 2.7-14.3).
Conclusions Findings support recent evidence suggesting that gay, lesbian, and bisexual young people are at increased risk of mental health problems, with these associations being particularly evident for measures of suicidal behavior and multiple disorder.
From the Christchurch Health and Development Study (Dr Fergusson and Mr Horwood) and the Canterbury Suicide Project (Dr Beautrais), Christchurch School of Medicine, New Zealand.
RELATED ARTICLES
Homosexuality and Mental Illness
J. Michael Bailey
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56(10):883-884.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Suicide and Sexual Orientation: Nearing the End of Controversy?
Gary Remafedi
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56(10):885-886.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Homosexuality, Psychopathology, and Suicidality
Richard C. Friedman
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999;56(10):887-888.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Suicide and Suicidal Behavior
Nock et al.
Epidemiol Rev 2008;0:mxn002v1-mxn002.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Same-Sex Attraction Disclosure to Health Care Providers Among New York City Men Who Have Sex With Men: Implications for HIV Testing Approaches
Bernstein et al.
Arch Intern Med 2008;168:1458-1464.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
From the Cover: PET and MRI show differences in cerebral asymmetry and functional connectivity between homo- and heterosexual subjects
Savic and Lindstrom
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2008;105:9403-9408.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Physical Health Complaints Among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexual and Homosexually Experienced Heterosexual Individuals: Results From the California Quality of Life Survey
Cochran and Mays
Am. J. Public Health 2007;97:2048-2055.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Research, Curricula, and Resources Related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health in US Schools of Public Health
Corliss et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2007;97:1023-1027.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Suicide Attempts among Norwegian Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Youths: General and Specific Risk Factors
Hegna and Wichstrom
Acta Sociologica 2007;50:21-37.
ABSTRACT
The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children
McConnell
Pediatrics 2006;118:2259-2260.
FULL TEXT
The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children: In Reply
Trumbull et al.
Pediatrics 2006;118:2261b-2264.
FULL TEXT
Depressive Symptoms as a Longitudinal Predictor of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among US Middle and High School Students
Lehrer et al.
Pediatrics 2006;118:189-200.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Young People, Gender and Suicide: A Review of Research on the Social Context
Smalley et al.
Journal of Social Work 2005;5:133-154.
ABSTRACT
Rates and predictors of mental illness in gay men, lesbians and bisexual men and women: Results from a survey based in England and Wales
Warner et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2004;185:479-485.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Mental health and quality of life of gay men and lesbians in England and Wales: Controlled, cross-sectional study
King et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2003;183:552-558.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Life Course Factors Associated With Suicidal Behaviors in Young People
Beautrais
American Behavioral Scientist 2003;46:1137-1156.
ABSTRACT
Sexual Orientation and Self-Harm in Men and Women
Skegg et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2003;160:541-546.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Mental Health Problems among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youths Ages 14 to 21
D'augelli
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2002;7:433-456.
ABSTRACT
Challenges Faced by Homeless Sexual Minorities: Comparison of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Homeless Adolescents With Their Heterosexual Counterparts
Cochran et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2002;92:773-777.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Sexual orientation and mental health: results from a community survey of young and middle-aged adults
JORM et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2002;180:423-427.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Mental Health Correlates of Perceived Discrimination Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States
Mays and Cochran
Am. J. Public Health 2001;91:1869-1876.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Same-Sex Sexual Behavior and Psychiatric Disorders: Findings From the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS)
Sandfort et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2001;58:85-91.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Suicidal behaviour in gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth
Bagley and D'Augelli
BMJ 2000;320:1617-1618.
FULL TEXT
Reexamining the Relation Between Homosexuality and Mental Health
JWatch Psychiatry 1999;1999:9-9.
FULL TEXT
Homosexuality and Mental Illness
Bailey
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:883-884.
FULL TEXT
Suicide and Sexual Orientation: Nearing the End of Controversy?
Remafedi
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:885-886.
FULL TEXT
Homosexuality, Psychopathology, and Suicidality
Friedman
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999;56:887-888.
FULL TEXT
|
