Sexual orientation and suicide Epidemiology of suicide

the likelihood of suicide attempts increased in both gay males , lesbians, bisexuals of both sexes when compared heterosexual counterparts. trend of having higher incident rate among females no exception lesbians or bisexual females , when compared homosexual males, lesbians more attempt gay or bisexual males.

studies vary how increased risk compared heterosexuals low of 0.8-1.1 times more females , 1.5-2.5 times more males. highs reach 4.6 more in females , 14.6 more in males.

race , age play factor in increased risk. highest ratios males attributed caucasians when in youth. age of 25, risk down less half of black gay males risk steadily increases 8.6 times more likely. through lifetime risks 5.7 white , 12.8 black gay , bisexual males.

lesbian , bisexual females have opposite effects less attempts in youth when compared heterosexual females. through lifetime likelihood attempt triple youth 1.1 ratio caucasian females, black females rate affected little (less 0.1 0.3 difference) heterosexual black females having higher risk throughout of age-based study.

gay , lesbian youth attempt suicide disproportionately subject anti-gay attitudes, , have weaker skills coping discrimination, isolation, , loneliness, , more experience family rejection not attempt suicide. study found gay , bisexual youth attempted suicide had more feminine gender roles, adopted lgb identity @ young age , more peers report sexual abuse, drug abuse, , arrests misconduct.

one study found same-sex sexual behavior, not homosexual attraction or homosexual identity, predictive of suicide among norwegian adolescents. in denmark, age-adjusted suicide mortality risk men in registered domestic partnerships 8 times greater men positive histories of heterosexual marriage , twice high men had never married.

a study of suicide, undertaken in sweden, involved analysis of data records 6,456 same-sex married couples , 1,181,723 man-women marriages. sweden s tolerant attitude regarding homosexuality, determined same-sex married men suicide risk 3 times higher different-sex married men, after adjustment hiv status. women, shown there tentatively elevated suicide risk same-sex married women on of different-sex married women.