Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pftt2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-17T19:03:23.830Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Same-sex Attracted Youths: Suicide and Related Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Adrian Ashman
Adrian Ashman*
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, Australia
*
School of Education, Social Sciences Building, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072. Email: a.ashman@uq.edu.au
Get access

Abstract

Same-sex attracted youths comprise 10% to 11% of the secondary school population although not all of those who experience same-sex attraction will adopt a gay, lesbian, transgender or transsexual lifestyle. Most, if not all, will experience homophobia in one or more of its forms. Many of these young people will cope well with the heterocentric attitudes and prejudices prevalent in secondary schools and the wider community and make the transition into adulthood having learned how to mask their sexual preferences or develop effective coping mechanisms to deal with homophobia. Some will succumb to the pressures they experience and seek less ideal solutions that include drug use and promiscuity. Some will take their own lives. This article draws attention to the complications of same-sex attraction and argues for a school and community response that recognises and appreciates the positive contributions that diversity of sexual preference brings to any community.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , July 2004 , pp. 48 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2003). Cause of Death, Australia (ABS Catalogue No. 3303.0). Canberra, ACT: Author. Retrieved 30 March, 2004, from http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/Google Scholar
Anderson, D.A. (1995). Lesbian and gay adolescents: Social and developmental considerations. In G, Unks (Ed.). The gay teen: Educational practice and theory for lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents (pp. 17–28). New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Bagley, C., Tremblay, P. (1997) Suicidal behaviours in homosexual and bisexual males. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 18(1), 24–31.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Becker, E., Rankin, E., & Rickel, A.U. (1998). High-risk sexual behavior: Interventions with vulnerable populations. New York: Plenum Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berrill, K.T. (1992). Anti-gay violence and victimization in the United States: An overview. In Herek, G. M. & Berrill, K.T. (Eds.), Hate crimes: Confronting violence against lesbians and gay men (pp. 19–45). Newbury Park, CA: SAGE.Google Scholar
Blum, R., & Mann Rinehart, P. (1997). Reducing the risk: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youth. Youth Studies Australia, 16, 37–50.Google Scholar
Books, S. (Ed.). (1998). Invisible children in the society and its schools. Mahway, NT: Lawrence Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Borowsky, I.W., Ireland, M., & Resnick, M.D. (2001). Adolescent suicide attempts: Risks and protectors. Pediatrics, 107, 485–494.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Buston, K., & Hart, G. (2001). Heterosexism and homophobia in Scottish school sex education: Exploring the nature of the problem. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 95–109.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Collins, M. (1992). The gay-bashers. In Herek, G. M. & Berrill, K. T. (Eds.), Hate crimes: Confronting violence against lesbians and gay men (pp. 191–200). Newbury Park, CA: SAGE Publications.Google Scholar
Collins, T., Kane, G., & Drever, P. (2001). Understanding homosexuality: Working with gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Inpsych, 23(1), 26–31Google Scholar
Colman, A. (2001). A national roundup of recent press reports on youth issues. Youth Studies Australia, 20(1), 3.Google Scholar
Costigan, G. (1996). The cost of coming out. The Big Issue, No. 3, 29 July–11 August.Google Scholar
Dressier, J. (1995). When “heterosexual” men kill “homosexual” men: Reflections of provocation law, sexual advances and the “reasonable man” standard. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 85, 726–763.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dudley, M., Kell, N., Florio, T., Howard, J., & Waters, B. (1998). Suicide among young Australians, 1964–1993: An interstate comparison of metropolitan and rural trends. Medical Journal of Australia, 169, 77–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dudley, M., Kell, N.Florio, T., Waters, B., Howard, J., & Taylor, D. (1998). Coroners' records of rural and non-rural cases of youth suicide in NSW. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 32, 242–251.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Duncan, N. (1999).Sexual bullying: Gender conflict and pupil culture in secondary schools. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Dunne, G.A., Prendergast, S., & Telford, D. (2002). Young, gay, homeless and invisible: A growing population? Culture, Health and Sexuality, 4, 103–115.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Filipas, H.H. & Ullman, S.E. (2001). Social reactions to sexual assault victims from various support sources. Violence and Victims, 16, 673–692.Google ScholarPubMed
Fontaine, J.H. & Hammond, N.L. (1996). Counseling issues with gay and lesbian adolescents. Adolescence, 31, 817–830.Google ScholarPubMed
Gay youth site may fall victim to its own success. (2002, March 1). QP, 144, 4.Google Scholar
Goldman, J. (2000). Sexuality education for teenagers in the new millennium. Youth Studies Australia, 19, 11–18.Google Scholar
Grossman, A.H. (1997). Growing up with a “spoiled identity”: Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth at risk. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 6, 45–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guss, J.R., & Drescher, J. (Eds). Gay teens and substance use disorders: Assessment and treatment. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Medical Press.Google Scholar
Hart, T.A., & Heimberg, R.G. (2001). Presenting problems among treatment-seeking gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57, 615–627.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haywood, S., Dryden, J., & Johnson, B. (1999). Childhood resilience: Review and critique of literature. Oxford Review of Education, 25, 307–317.Google Scholar
Herr, M.B. (1997). Learning lessons from school: Homophobia, heterosexism, and the construction of failure. In Harris, M. B. (Ed.), School experiences of gay and lesbian youth: The invisible minority (pp. 51–64). New York: Harrington Park.Google Scholar
Hillier, L., Dempsey, D., Harrison, L., Beale, C., Matthews, L., & Rosenthal, D. (1998). Writing themselves in: A national report on the sexuality, health, and well-being of samesex attracted young people. National Centre in HIV Social Research, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society. Carlton South, Victoria: La Trobe University.Google Scholar
Hillier, L., Harrison, L., & Dempsey, D. (1999). Whatever happened to duty of care? Samesex attracted youth people's stories of schooling and violence. [Special Issue: Sexualities and School] Melbourne Studies in Education, 40, 59–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hillier, L., Matthews, L., & Dempsey, D., (1997). A low priority in a hierarchy of needs: A profile of the sexual health needs of homeless young people in Australia. National Centre in HIV Social Research, Carlton South, Victoria: La Trobe University.Google Scholar
Hillier, L., Warr, D., & Haste, B. (1996). The rural mural: Sexuality and diversity in rural youth. National Centre in HIV Social Research, La Trobe University, CarltonGoogle Scholar
Hoover, J.H., & Hazier, R.J. (1991). Bullies and victims. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 25, 212–219.Google Scholar
Howard, J., & Nicholas, J. (1999, July). Better to be dead than gay? Are gay youth at elevated risk for suicidal behaviour and if so what can we do? Paper presented at the Diversity: Challenging, supporting, celebrating conference, University of Queensland, Brisbane.Google Scholar
Howard, S., Dryden, J., & Johnson, B. (1999). Childhood resilience: Review and critique of literature. Oxford Review of Education, 25, 307–317.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hughes, T.L., & Eliason, M. (2002). Substance use and abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations. Journal of Primary Prevention, 22, 263–298.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kennedy, M.R. (1991). Homeless and runaway youth mental health: No access to the system. Journal of Adolescent Health, 12, 576–579.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kirby, P. (1997). Suicide prevention: Victorian task force report. Melbourne: Information Victoria.Google Scholar
Klinger, R.L. (1995). Gay violence. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, 2, 119–134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kosciw, J.G., & Cullen, M.K. (2001). The GLSEN 2001 national school climate survey: The school-related experiences of our nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. New York: Office for Public Policy of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.Google Scholar
Kruks, G. (1991). Gay and lesbian homeless/street youth: Special issues and concerns. Journal of Adolescent Health, 12, 515–518.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, C. (2002). The impact of belonging to a high school gay/straight alliance. The High School Journal, 85, 13–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindsay, J., Smith, A., & Rosenthal, D. (1997). Secondary Students, HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health. Carlton, Victoria: La Trobe University.Google Scholar
Little, J.N. (2001). Embracing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youth in school-based settings. Child and Youth Care Forum, 30, 99–110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lock, J. & Kleis, B.N. (1998). A primer on homophobia for the child and adolescent psychiatrist. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37, 671–673.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lock, J., & Steiner, H. (1999). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth risks for emotional, physical, and social problems: Results from a community-based survey. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38, 297–304.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McDougall, B. (1998). My child is gay. St. Leonards, NSW: Allyn & Unwin.Google Scholar
Mental Health and Special Programs Branch, Department of Health and Aged Care. (2000). Life: Living is for everyone. A framework for prevention of suicide and self-harm in Australia. Canberra: Author.Google Scholar
McDaniel, J.S., Purcell, D., & D'Augelli, A.R. (2001). The relationship between sexual orientation and risk for suicide: Research findings and future directions for research and prevention. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 31, 84–105.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McFariand, W.P., & Dupuis, M. (2001). The legal duty to protect gay and lesbian students from violence in school. Professional School Counseling, 4, 171–179.Google Scholar
Moon, M.W., McFariand, W., Kellogg, T., Baxter, M. (2000). HIV risk behaviour of runaway youth in San Francisco: Age of onset and relation to sexual orientation. Youth and Society, 32, 184–201.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Murray, D. (2001). Addressing homophobia and sex-based discrimination in schools. Youth Studies Australia, 20(1), 32–36.Google Scholar
Nadi, P.M., & Bolton, R. (1991). Gay-bashing: Violence and aggression against gay men and lesbians. In Baenninger, R. (Ed.), Targets of violence and aggression (pp. 395–400). Amsterdam: North-Holland.Google Scholar
Ollis, D., Mitchell, A., Watson, J., Hillier, L., & Walsh, J. (n.d.). Safety in our schools: Strategies for responding to homophobia. Melbourne: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society.Google Scholar
Olweus, D. (1993). Bullies on the playground: The role of victimization. In Hart, C. H. (Ed.), (1993). Children on playgrounds: Research perspectives and applications (pp. 85-128). New York: State University of New York.Google Scholar
Pallotta-Chiarolli, M. (1995). Can I use the word ‘gay’? In Browne, R. & Fletcher, R. (Eds), Boys in school: Addressing the real issues, behaviour, values and relationship (pp. 66–81). Sydney: Finch.Google Scholar
Pallotta-Chiarolli, M. (2000). Queerly raised and queer-friendly students: What do they think? Youth Studies Australia, 19, 34–40.Google Scholar
Plummer, D.C. (2001). The quest for modern manhood: Masculine stereotypes, peer culture and the social significance of homophobia. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 15–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ray, V., & Gregory, R. (2001). School experiences of the children of lesbian and gay parents. Family Matters, 59, 28–34.Google Scholar
Rew, L., Taylor-Seehafer, M., Thomas, N.Y., & Yockey, R.D. (2001). Correlates of resilience on homeless adolescents. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 33, 33–40.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rigby, K. (1995). The motivation of Australian adolescent schoolchildren to engage in group discussions about bullying. Journal of Social Psychology, 135, 773–774CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rivers, I. (2001). The bullying of sexual minorities at school: Its nature and long-term correlates. Educational and Child Psychology, 18, 32–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rohde, P., Noell, J., Ochs, L., & Seeley, J.R. (2001). Depression, suicidal ideation and STD-related risk in homeless older adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 447–460.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rouse, K.A.G. (2001). Resilient students' goals and motivation. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 461–472.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Russell, S.T., Driscoll, A.K., & Truong, N. (2002). Adolescent same-sex romantic attractions and relationships: Implications for substance use and abuse. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 198–202.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Russell, S.T., Franz, B.T., & Driscoll, A.K. (2001). Same-sex romantic attraction and experience of violence in adolescence. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 903–906.Google ScholarPubMed
Russell, S.T., Seif, H., & Truong, N.L. (2001). School outcomes of sexual minority youth in the Unites States: Evidence from a national study. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 111–127.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Savin-Williams, R.C. (1996). Ethnic and sexuality minority youth. In Savin-Williams, R. C., Cohen, K. M. (Eds.), The lives of lesbian, gays, and bisexuals: Children to adults (pp. 152–165). Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace College Publications.Google Scholar
Savin-Williams, R.C. (2001). Suicide attempts among sexual-minority youths: Population and measurement issues. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 983–991.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scouller, K.M., & Smith, D.I. (2002). Suicide and life-threatening behavior. New York: Guilford Publications.Google Scholar
Siegal, K., & Meyer, I.H. (1999). Hope and resilience in suicide ideation and behavior of gay and bisexual men following notification of HIV infection. AIDS Education and Prevention, 11, 53–64.Google Scholar
Savin-Williams, R.C. (1996). Ethnic and sexuality minority youth. In Savin-Williams, R.C., Cohen, K.M. (Eds.), The lives of lesbian, gays, and bisexuals: Children to adults (pp. 152–165). Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace College Publications.Google Scholar
Smith, D.W., Letourneau, E.J., Saunders, B.E., Kilpatrick, D.G., Resnick, H.S., & Best, C.L. (2000). Delay in disclosure of childhood rape: Results from a national survey. Child Abuse and Neglect, 24, 273–287.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, D. (2001). Assessing the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. Monitor on Psychology, 32(8), 42–43.Google Scholar
Smith, D. (2002). Young, gay and of color. Monitor on psychology, 33(2), 48–50.Google Scholar
Sudderth, L.K. (1998). It'll come right back at me: The interactional context of discussing rape with others. Violence Against Women, 4, 572–594.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sullivan, M., & Wodarski, J.S. (2002). Social alienation in gay youth. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 5, 1–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thurlow, C. (2001). Naming the “outsider within”: Homophobic pejoratives and the verbal abuse of lesbian, gay and bisexual high-school pupils. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 25–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tomsen, S. (2002). Hatred, murder and male honour: Anti-homosexual homicides in New South Wales, 1980–2000. Research and Public Policy Series, No. 43. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.Google Scholar
Ullman, S.E., & Filipas, H.H. (2001a). Correlates of formal and informal support seeking in sexual assaults victims. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16, 1028–1047.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ullman, S.E., & Filipas, H.H. (2001b). Predictors of PTSD symptom severity and social reactions in sexual assault victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 14, 369–389.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Unks, G. (1995). The gay teen: Educational practice and theory for lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents. New York: Routledge.Google Scholar
Uribe, V. (1994). The silent minority: Rethinking our commitment to gay and lesbian youth. Theory into Practice, 33, 167–172.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
US Department of Health and Human Services. (1989). Report of the Secretary's task force on youth: Suicide. Volume 3: Prevention and interventions in youth suicide. Rockville, MD: Author.Google Scholar
Valleroy, L.A., MacKellar, D.A., Karon, J.M., Rosen, D.H., McFarland, W., Shehan, D.A., Stoyanoff, S.R., LaLota, M., Celentano, D.D., Joblin, B.A., Theide, H., Katz, M.H., Torian, L.V., & Jansenn, R.S. (2000). HIV prevalence and associated risks in young men who have sex with men. Journal fo the American Medical Association, 284, 198–204.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Waldo, C.R., Hesson-Mclnnis, M.S., & D'Augelli, A.R. (1998). Antecedents and consequences of victimisation of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people: A structural model comparing rural university and urban samples. American Journal of Community Psychology, 26, 307–334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Warwick, I., Aggleton, P., & Douglas, N. (2001). Playing it safe: Addressing the emotional and physical health of lesbian and gay pupils in the U.K. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 129–140.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Werner, E.E., & Smith, R.S. (2001). Journeys from childhood to midlife: Risk, resilience, and recovery. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.Google Scholar
Williams, L.S. (1984). The classic rape: When do victims report? Social Problems, 31, 459–467.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Working Group of the Directorate of Social Issues. (1999). Suicide: An Australian Psychological Society discussion paper. Melbourne: Australian Psychological Society.Google Scholar