An Overlooked Explanation for Increasing Suicidality: LGBQ Stressors Felt by More Students

Joseph R. Cimpian; Mollie T. McQuillan

doi:10.3102/0013189X241305329

An Overlooked Explanation for Increasing Suicidality: LGBQ Stressors Felt by More Students

Joseph R. Cimpian, Mollie T. McQuillan

Applied Statistics, Social Science, and Humanities

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Recent data show rising suicidality among high school girls. We posit this increase may be related to an overlooked factor: more girls identifying as LGBQ. Using four cohorts of national Youth Risk Behavior Survey data (N = 22,562 females, N = 22,130 males), we found that LGBQ identification among females rose from 15% in 2015 to 34% in 2021. LGBQ females consistently reported higher suicidality, although rates remained stable within both LGBQ and heterosexual groups. The rise in females’ suicidality may stem from social pressures faced by LGBQ youth. Male suicidality and LGBQ identification showed smaller changes. More support for LGBQ students is essential to address this trend.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	56-60
Number of pages	5
Journal	Educational Researcher
Volume	54
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X241305329
State	Published - Jan 1 2025

Keywords

at-risk students
descriptive analysis
equity
gay/lesbian studies
regression analyses
secondary data analysis
stress/coping; suicidality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Education

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10.3102/0013189X241305329

Cite this

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abstract = "Recent data show rising suicidality among high school girls. We posit this increase may be related to an overlooked factor: more girls identifying as LGBQ. Using four cohorts of national Youth Risk Behavior Survey data (N = 22,562 females, N = 22,130 males), we found that LGBQ identification among females rose from 15% in 2015 to 34% in 2021. LGBQ females consistently reported higher suicidality, although rates remained stable within both LGBQ and heterosexual groups. The rise in females{\textquoteright} suicidality may stem from social pressures faced by LGBQ youth. Male suicidality and LGBQ identification showed smaller changes. More support for LGBQ students is essential to address this trend.",

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An Overlooked Explanation for Increasing Suicidality: LGBQ Stressors Felt by More Students

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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