Abstract
Objective: To study the relationship between victimization, depression, and suicide ideation among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Methods: From a narrative overview of the literature, synthesizing the findings of the relationship between victimization, depression, and suicide ideation among LGB individuals, from a search of relevant database, 3,685 journal articles were retrieved – of which 16 met the study’s inclusion criteria. Results and Discussion: Victimization represents a highly stressful experience for the individual involved. Individuals perceived as sexual minorities (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered) are specific targets of victimization. Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minority individuals are more likely to report sexual minority-specific victimization. Sexual minorities are more vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes (e.g., the symptoms of depression) than sexual majorities. This is related to LGBT victimization. Sexual minorities are more likely to report having suicide ideation and attempt than heterosexual individuals. This is associated with LGBT victimization. There is a significant relationship between symptoms of depression and the lifetime history of suicide ideation and attempt among LGBT individuals.
Highlights
MethodsA comprehensive search of three selected computer databases – EBSCOHOST, Springer, and ScienceDirect – using the search criteria {LGBT odds ratio (OR) "sexual minority" OR homosexual* OR gay OR lesbian OR bisexual AND bully* OR victim* AND depress* OR "mental health" AND suicide* OR "self-harm" OR "risk behavior"} for the period 2000 to 2015, was conducted
Compared with non–sexual minority youths, sexual minority youths had 4.39 and 1.96 times higher odds, respectively, of attempting suicide and reporting bullying. Those who reported bullying, who identified as sexual minorities, who identified as Hispanic, and who were female were more likely to report suicide attempt. These identities appear to interact with one another to modify the relationship between reported bullying and reported suicide attempt
Findings were similar in men and women but LB women were at particular risk of substance dependence, while lifetime risk of suicide attempts was especially high in GB men
Summary
A comprehensive search of three selected computer databases – EBSCOHOST, Springer, and ScienceDirect – using the search criteria {LGBT OR "sexual minority" OR homosexual* OR gay OR lesbian OR bisexual AND bully* OR victim* AND depress* OR "mental health" AND suicide* OR "self-harm" OR "risk behavior"} for the period 2000 to 2015, was conducted. Journal articles were included for the current narrative review, if they met the following criteria: (1) available in full text, (2) the association of sexual minorities or LGB individuals with any of these factors: victimization, bullying, mental health problems, depression, suicide ideation, and/or risk behaviors, and (3) a sample consisted of adolescents, youths, young adults, and/or adults. For Springer, the search yielded 2,793 results of which only two were selected. For ScienceDirect, the search yielded 813 results of which only two were selected. 16 journal articles that met the inclusion criteria were chosen for the current narrative review
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