Citation

Williams AJ, Arcelus J, Townsend E, Michail M. BMJ Open 2019; 9(11): e031541.

Affiliation

Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031541

PMID

31719085

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Young people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+) are at increased risk for self-harm, suicide ideation and behaviours. However, there has yet to be a comprehensive understanding of what risk factors influence these behaviours within LGBTQ+ young people as a whole. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine risk factors associated with self-harm, suicidal ideation and behaviour in LGBTQ+) young people.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A systematic review will be conducted, conforming to the reporting guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement recommendations. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science) will be systematically searched for cross-sectional, prospective, longitudinal, cohort and case-control designs which examine risk factors for self-harm and/or suicidal ideation and behaviour in LGBTQ+ young people (aged 12-25 years). Only studies published in English will be included. No date restrictions will be applied. Study quality assessment will be conducted using the original and modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scales. Meta-analysis or narrative synthesis will be used, dependent on findings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This is a systematic review of published literature and thereby ethical approval was not sought. The review will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, be publicly disseminated at conferences focusing on mental health, self-harm and suicide prevention. The findings will also be shared through public engagement and involvement, particularly those related to young LGBTQ+ individuals. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019130037.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.

Language: en

Keywords

gender identity; protocol; sexual orientation; suicide & self-harm; systematic review; young people