Citation

Kerr DCR, Bae H, Dermody SS. Psychol. Sex. Orientat. Gend. Divers. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/sgd0000599

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Prevalence estimates of mental health problems including suicidal thoughts and behaviors among college students have increased over the last decade, but time trends for sexual and gender minority (SGM) students remain undocumented. We compared trends in the adjusted prevalence of these outcomes by gender and sexual orientation in college students (n = 816,461) ages 18-24 years sampled from 4-year colleges that self-selected to participate in the cross-sectional National College Health Assessment in 2008-2018. Prevalence of 30-day depressive and anxiety symptoms increased significantly for every group examined--cisgender women, cisgender women, transgender students, and heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual/pansexual, and unsure/questioning students--and 30-day suicidal ideation increased significantly for all but transgender and unsure/questioning students. Disparities that sexual minority and transgender students showed relative to heterosexual and cisgender peers widened for depressive and anxiety symptoms, and the narrowing of disparities on suicidal ideation and past-year suicide attempt were explained by increases in prevalence among cisgender women and heterosexual students. A redoubling of prevention efforts, particularly for SGM young people, is needed to reverse recent trends in psychological distress and suicide risk. © 2022. American Psychological Association

Language: en

Keywords

College students; Depression; Suicidal behavior; Transgender; Sexual orientation