Abstract
LGBTQ+ youth have higher rates of self-harm and suicide than cisgender, heterosexual peers. Less is known about prevalence of risks within these populations. The first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the prevalence of risks among young people throughout the LGBTQ+ umbrella with experiences across the dimension of self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide behaviour; and how they may differ between LGBTQ+ umbrella groups. MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science searches were run to identify quantitative research papers (database inception to 31st January, 2020). Articles included were empirical quantitative studies, which examined risks associated with self-harm, suicidal ideation or suicidal behaviour in LGBTQ+ young people (12-25 years). 2457 articles were identified for screening which was completed by two independent reviewers. 104 studies met inclusion criteria of which 40 had data which could be meta-analysed in a meaningful way. This analysis represents victimisation and mental health difficulties as risks among LGBTQ+ youth with self-harm and suicide experiences. Random-effects modelling was used for the main analyses with planned subgroup analyses. Victimisation and mental health were key risk factors across the dimension self-harm and suicide identified through all analyses. A pooled prevalence of 0.36 was indicated for victimisation and 0.39 for mental health difficulties within LGBTQ+ young people with experiences of self-harm or suicide. Odds ratios were calculated which demonstrated particularly high levels of victimisation (3.74) and mental health difficulties (2.67) when compared to cisgender, heterosexual counterparts who also had these experiences. Victimisation and mental health difficulties are highly prevalent among LGBTQ+ youth with experiences of self-harm and suicide. Due to inconsistency of reporting, further risk synthesis is limited. Given the global inclusion of studies, these results can be considered across countries and inform policy and suicide prevention initiatives. CRD42019130037.
Highlights
Worldwide, suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people [1], with adolescent suicide rates between 11.2–12.7 per 100,000 across low, middle, and high-income countries [2]
Articles included were empirical quantitative studies, which examined risks associated with self-harm, suicidal ideation or suicidal behaviour in LGBTQ+ young people (12–25 years)
Victimisation and mental health were key risk factors across the dimension self-harm and suicide identified through all analyses
Summary
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for young people [1], with adolescent suicide rates between 11.2–12.7 per 100,000 across low-, middle-, and high-income countries [2]. Suicidal thoughts and attempt are thought to be around 3 times higher among sexual orientation minorities (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning or queer, LGBQ) youth when compared to heterosexual, cisgender counterparts [3]. A recent meta-analysis found suicidal ideation prevalence was demonstrated to be around 28% among gender identity minority groups (transgender and gender non-conforming, TGNC) and suicidal attempt prevalence was 14.8% [4]. Self-harm (defined as self-injury or self-poisoning of self, irrespective of suicidal intent [5]) is known as the most influential risk factor for completed suicide among young people [6,7]. There is strong evidence that demonstrates the high prevalence of self-harm among young people who identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and others) [8]. LGBTQ+ youth have higher rates of self-harm and suicide than cisgender, heterosexual peers. Less is known about prevalence of risks within these populations
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