Citation

Levasseur MT, Kelvin EA, Grosskopf NA. Am. J. Public Health 2013; 103(6): 1082-1089.

Affiliation

Michael T. LeVasseur and Elizabeth A. Kelvin are with The City University of New York (CUNY) School of Public Health at Hunter College, New York, NY. Elizabeth A. Kelvin is also with The Graduate Center, The City University of New York. Nicholas A. Grosskopf is with the School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, York College, The City University of New York and The Graduate Center, The City University of New York.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2012.300994

PMID

23597376

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the intersections of sexual minority, gender, and Hispanic ethnic identities and their interaction with experiences of bullying in predicting suicide attempt among New York City youths. Methods. We performed secondary data analysis of the 2009 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey, using logistic regression to examine the association of sexual identity, gender, ethnicity, and bullying with suicide attempt. We stratified results on these measures and reported adjusted odds ratios. Results. 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. Identity variables did not interact with bullying in predicting suicide attempt individually; however, a four-way interaction term was significant. The effect of bullying on suicide attempt was strongest among non-Hispanic sexual minority male youths (odds ratio = 21.39 vs 1.65-3.38 for other groups). Conclusions. Sexual minority, gender, and ethnic identities interact with bullying in predicting suicide attempt among New York City youths. Interventions to limit both the prevalence and the effect of bullying among minority youths should consider an intersectional approach that considers ethnic, gender, and sexual identities. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print April 18, 2013: e1-e6. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.300994).

Language: en