Being victimized because of sexual orientation is a chief risk factor for suicidal behavior among gay, lesbian and bisexual U.S. college students.
University of Washington researcher Heather Murphy also uncovered a group of students who previously had not been studied and are at increased risk for suicidal behavior -- students who identify themselves as heterosexual, but also report being attracted to people of the same sex or engaging in same-sex behavior. This group was three times as likely as heterosexuals to have made a plan to commit suicide in the past year and six times more likely to have actually attempted suicide in the same period, Murphy said.
Gay, lesbian and bisexual students also were twice as likely as heterosexuals to have planned and to have attempted suicide in the previous year.
Murphy had more than 500 students answer questionnaires containing 86 questions and found 56 of the students said they had seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months, while a dozen of them attempted suicide.
The study found gay, lesbian and bisexuals and the same-sex attracted heterosexuals, experienced significantly more verbal and physical victimization than did heterosexual students. (Source)
University of Washington researcher Heather Murphy also uncovered a group of students who previously had not been studied and are at increased risk for suicidal behavior -- students who identify themselves as heterosexual, but also report being attracted to people of the same sex or engaging in same-sex behavior. This group was three times as likely as heterosexuals to have made a plan to commit suicide in the past year and six times more likely to have actually attempted suicide in the same period, Murphy said.
Gay, lesbian and bisexual students also were twice as likely as heterosexuals to have planned and to have attempted suicide in the previous year.
Murphy had more than 500 students answer questionnaires containing 86 questions and found 56 of the students said they had seriously considered suicide in the previous 12 months, while a dozen of them attempted suicide.
The study found gay, lesbian and bisexuals and the same-sex attracted heterosexuals, experienced significantly more verbal and physical victimization than did heterosexual students. (Source)
1 comment:
Heather Murphy has made a brilliant contribution. Despite the painful challenges for those of us who knew they were gay from the get-go, the "heterosexual, but also report being attracted to people of the same sex or engaging in same-sex behavior" group is, of course, the group most in denial about their sexuality - a la Senator Craig.
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