ABSTRACT
Compared to their heterosexual peers, sexual minority youth continue to experience significant health disparities. Rates of suicidal ideation and attempts vary based on sampling approaches, definitions of constructs, geographical location, help-seeking, and other factors. Cross-sectional research suggests that sexual minority youth are far more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual peers. The minority stress model helps to elucidate some of the connections between sexual minority identity and suicidality. Ecological systems theory can be used as a framework to explore the components of elevated risk, correlates of suicidality, and relevant protective factors for lesbian-gay-bisexual (LGB) youth. Interpersonal theories of depression posit that stressors, particularly those related to stigma, alter interpersonal relationships and render individuals more vulnerable to psychopathology. Family relationships, peer victimization, and mental health concerns are risk factors that are particularly salient for this population. Future research, particularly large-scale epidemiological studies, would benefit from the inclusion of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity variables.
