Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms and Suicidality Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Youth

• NCJ Number: 244290
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 42 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2013 Pages: 1243-1256
• Author(s): Michael P. Marshal; Sarah S. Dermody; JeeWon Cheong; Chad M. Burton; Mark S. Friedman; Francis Aranda; Tonda L. Hughes
• Date Published: August 2013
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The primary goals of this study were to describe and compare trajectories of adolescent depressive symptoms and suicidality among sexual minority and heterosexual youth.

Abstract

Sexual minority youth report higher rates of depression and suicidality than do heterosexual youth. Little is known, however, about whether these disparities continue as youth transition into young adulthood. The primary goals of this study were to describe and compare trajectories of adolescent depressive symptoms and suicidality among sexual minority and heterosexual youth, examine differences in depressive symptoms and suicidality trajectories across sexual orientation subgroups, and determine whether there are gender differences in these longitudinal disparities. Four waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were analyzed using latent curve modeling (N = 12,379; 53 percent female). Results showed that the rates of depressive symptoms and suicidality in early adolescence were higher among sexual minority youth than among heterosexual youth, and that these disparities persisted over time as participants transitioned into young adulthood. Consistent with previous cross-sectional studies, the observed longitudinal disparities were largest for females and for bisexually-identified youth. Sexual minority youth may benefit from childhood and early adolescent prevention and intervention programs. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.