An Overlooked Explanation for Increasing Suicidality: LGBQ Stressors Felt by More Students (Poster 25)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Saturday 9:50 a.m.
  In Poster Session: Looking at Factors Affecting Stress and Resilience

Abstract

Recent surveys show a troubling rise in suicidality among high school girls. Analyses of 4 cohorts of national Youth Risk Behavior Survey data (N=44,692) reveal increased suicidality overall. Separately, there is a significant rise in LGBQ identification among girls, from 15% in 2015 to 34% in 2021. While suicidality rates among LGBQ and heterosexual girls remained stable, LGBQ girls consistently reported higher suicidality than their heterosexual peers. This trend suggests that broader social and structural pressures on LGBQ youth may be impacting a growing number of girls. In contrast, changes in suicidality and LGBQ identification among boys are less pronounced, and sexuality trends only slightly predict boys’ suicidality trends. Enhanced support for LGBQ students is recommended to address these trends.

Authors

• Joseph R. Cimpian, New York University

• Mollie McQuillan, University of Wisconsin - Madison