Estimating the Risk of Attempted Suicide among Sexual Minority Youths

Abstract

Importance Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among adolescents. Sexual minority individuals are at a higher risk of suicide and attempted suicide, but a precise and systematic evaluation of this risk among sexual minority youths has not been documented to our knowledge. Objective To examine the risk of attempted suicide among sexual minority adolescents, differentiating for each sexual minority group. Data Sources Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO) were searched for articles published through April 30, 2017, with the following search terms: heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, adolescents, teens, and attempted suicide. Study Selection Studies that reported attempted suicide in sexual minority adolescents compared with heterosexual peers were included. Thirty-five studies satisfied criteria for inclusion of 764 records identified. Data Extraction and Synthesis Pooled analyses were based on odds ratios (ORs), with relevant 95% CIs, weighting each study with inverse variance models with random effects. Risk of publication bias and analysis of heterogeneity through univariable and multivariable meta-regressions were also rated. Main Outcomes and Measures The evaluation of increased odds of attempted suicide among sexual minority youths compared with heterosexual peers. Results Thirty-five studies reported in 22 articles that involved a total of 2378987 heterosexual and 113468 sexual minority adolescents (age range, 12-20 years) were included in the analysis. Sexual minority youths were generally at higher risk of attempted suicide (OR, 3.50; 95% CI, 2.98-4.12; c 2 = 3074.01; P