Citation

Green AE, Price-Feeney M, Dorison SH, Pick CJ. Am. J. Public Health 2020; 110(8): 1221-1227.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, American Public Health Association)

DOI

10.2105/AJPH.2020.305701

PMID

32552019

PMCID

PMC7349447

Abstract

OBJECTIVEs. To explore associations between undergoing sexual orientation or gender identity conversion efforts (SOGICE) and suicidality among young LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning) individuals.

METHODS. Data were derived from a 2018 online cross-sectional study of young LGBTQ individuals (13-24 years of age) residing in the United States. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the relative odds of suicidality among young LGBTQ individuals who experienced SOGICE (in comparison with those who did not) after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, geography, parents' use of religion to say negative things about being LGBTQ, sexual orientation, gender identity, discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity, and physical threats or harm because of sexual orientation or gender identity.

RESULTS. Relative to young people who had not experienced SOGICE, those who reported undergoing SOGICE were more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide and having multiple suicide attempts.

CONCLUSIONS. The elevated odds of suicidality observed among young LGBTQ individuals exposed to SOGICE underscore the detrimental effects of this unethical practice in a population that already experiences significantly greater risks for suicidality.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; United States; Adult; Female; Male; Adolescent; Young Adult; Suicide, Attempted; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Report; Counseling; Sexual Behavior; Gender Identity; Sexual and Gender Minorities