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Comparative Study
. 2016 Jan;8(1):15-24.
doi: 10.5249/jivr.v8i1.545. Epub 2015 Sep 23.

Self-injury, suicide ideation, and sexual orientation: differences in causes and correlates among high school students

Whitney DeCamp  1 , Nicholas W Bakken
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Self-injury, suicide ideation, and sexual orientation: differences in causes and correlates among high school students

Whitney DeCamp et al. J Inj Violence Res. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Research has suggested that sexual minority youth are more likely to experience a number of behavioral and health-related risk factors due to their exposure to negative attitudes and beliefs about sexual minorities. Few studies, however, have examined the prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among sexual minority youth. With self-cutting and suicidal ideation common in middle and high schools, understanding the antecedents and correlates of such behavior may help identify troubled students and initiate preventative measures.

Methods: Bivariate probit regression analyses are performed using data from 7,326 high school students collected via the Delaware Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

Results: Results indicate that bullying victimization, fighting, substance use, sexual behavior, depression, and unhealthy dieting behaviors were generally associated with NSSI and suicidal ideation. Some effects--including those from sexual activity, substance use, and unhealthy dieting behaviors--significantly differed based on gender and orientation.

Conclusions: Risk factors for suicide and NSSI vary by gender and orientation. Both prevention/intervention specialists and researchers should consider the intersection of these risk factors with sexual orientation in their efforts.

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