Victimization and Suicidality Among Dutch Lesbian,Gay, and Bisexual Youths

We examined Netherlands Institute for Social Research data, collected between May and August 2009, on 274 Dutch lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. The data showed that victimization at school was associated with suicidal ideation and actual suicide attempts. Homophobic rejection by parents was also associated with actual suicide attempts. Suicidality in this population could be reduced by supporting coping strategies of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths who are confronted with stigmatization by peers and parents, and by schools actively promoting acceptance of same-sex sexuality.Studies have shown that rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths are higher than among heterosexually identified youths.1 Also, suicide attempts in LGB adolescents are positively associated with the parents’ negative responses to their offspring’s sexual orientation.2 Furthermore, victimization at school is positively related to lifetime suicide attempts and to suicidal ideation in the previous year.3,4 Although LGB adolescents experience victimization in various social contexts, it is not clear which social context (parents, family members outside the nuclear family, school, or neighborhood) is most crucial in determining suicidality. The present study is one of the first studies to examine this issue.