The role of parents’ and friends’ support in preventing suicide attempts among French sexual minority adolescents

Abstract

ObjectivesFrench sexual minority adolescents are at higher risk for suicide attempts than their heterosexual peers. However, little is known about the role of parents’ and friends’ support among French lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth. This study aimed to research the role of their support in preventing suicide attempts among LGB adolescents in France. Materials and MethodsData were drawn from a French cross-sectional study entitled “Portraits d'adolescents”. Parental support was defined by satisfactory relations between participants and their parents. Friends’ support was defined by satisfactory relations between participants and their friends. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate and identify associated factors of suicide attempts in LGB as opposed to heterosexual youth. ResultsData from a sample of 14,265 French adolescents aged 13 to 20 were analyzed. Among them, 637 (4.47%) identified as LGB. Attempted suicide was independently associated with sexual orientation (30.7% vs 10.6%; OR = 2.59 [2.11–3.18]; p < 0.0001). Both parents’ and friends’ support appeared to be protective factors in suicide attempts among heterosexuals (adjusted ORs = 0.40 [0.35–0.46] and 0.61 [0.51–0.75], respectively), whereas in the LGB group, only parental support was significant (adjusted OR = 0.42 [0.27–0.65]), independently of other variables. DiscussionPrevention efforts might be carried out by identifying within-group differences among French adolescents with different sexual orientations. The supportive role of family members should be strengthened. Positive resources and salutary support systems may effectively prevent suicide attempts. ConclusionsFrench LGB adolescents have a higher risk for suicide attempts than their heterosexual peers. Parental support was reconfirmed as a major protective factor against suicide attempts in sexual minority adolescents.