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Protective school climates and reduced risk for suicide ideation in sexual minority youths

Author

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  • Hatzenbuehler, M.L.
  • Birkett, M.
  • Van Wagenen, A.
  • Meyer, I.H.

Abstract

Objectives. We examined whether sexual minority students living in states and cities with more protective school climates were at lower risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Methods. Data on sexual orientation and past-year suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were from the pooled 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Surveys from 8 states and cities. We derived data on school climates that protected sexual minority students (e.g., percentage of schools with safe spaces and Gay-Straight Alliances) from the 2010 School Health Profile Survey, compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students living in states and cities with more protective school climates reported fewer past-year suicidal thoughts than those living in states and cities with less protective climates (lesbians and gays: odds ratio [OR] = 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.47, 0.99; bisexuals: OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.66, 0.99). Results were robust to adjustment for potential state-level confounders. Sexual orientation disparities in suicidal thoughts were nearly eliminated in states and cities with the most protective school climates. Conclusions. School climates that protect sexual minority students may reduce their risk of suicidal thoughts.

Suggested Citation

  • Hatzenbuehler, M.L. & Birkett, M. & Van Wagenen, A. & Meyer, I.H., 2014. "Protective school climates and reduced risk for suicide ideation in sexual minority youths," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 104(2), pages 279-286.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301508_1
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301508
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    Cited by:

    1. Pizmony-Levy, Oren & Rogel, Avner & Shilo, Guy, 2019. "Pride and the True Colors of the Holy Land: School Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students in Israel," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1-1.
    2. López López, Mónica & Martínez-Jothar, Gabriela & ten Brummelaar, Mijntje D.C. & Parra, Luis A. & San Román Sobrino, Beatriz & Mallon, Gerald P., 2024. "“They told me that you can be with whomever you want, be who you are”: Perceptions of LGBTQ+ youth in residential care regarding the social support provided by child welfare professionals," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    3. Erin K. Gill & Mollie T. McQuillan, 2022. "LGBTQ+ Students’ Peer Victimization and Mental Health before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Tina Fetner & Athena Elafros, 2015. "The GSA Difference: LGBTQ and Ally Experiences in High Schools with and without Gay-Straight Alliances," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-19, August.
    5. Jennifer R. Pharr & Lung-Chang Chien & Maxim Gakh & Jason D. Flatt & Krystal Kittle & Emylia Terry, 2022. "Moderating Effect of Community and Individual Resilience on Structural Stigma and Suicidal Ideation among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.
    6. Nerilee Ceatha & Aaron C. C. Koay & Conor Buggy & Oscar James & Louise Tully & Marta Bustillo & Des Crowley, 2021. "Protective Factors for LGBTI+ Youth Wellbeing: A Scoping Review Underpinned by Recognition Theory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-50, November.
    7. Maria-Jose Mira-Galvañ & Raquel Gilar-Cobi, 2021. "OKAPI, an Emotional Education and Classroom Climate Improvement Program Based on Cooperative Learning: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.

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