Introduction
The purpose of this study is to explore how the associations between importance of
religion and recent suicide ideation, recent suicide attempt, and lifetime suicide
attempt vary by sexual orientation.
Methods
Survey data were collected from the 2011 University of Texas at Austin’s Research
Consortium data from 21,247 college-enrolled young adults aged 18–30 years. Respondents
reported sexual identity as heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, or questioning. Two
sets of multivariable models were conducted to explore the relations of religious
importance and sexual orientation with the prevalence of suicidal behavior. The first
model was stratified by sexual orientation and the second model was stratified by
importance of religion. To explore potential gender differences in self-directed violence,
the models were also stratified by gender identity. The main outcome measures were
recent suicidal ideation, recent suicide attempt, and lifetime suicide attempt.
Results
Overall, increased importance of religion was associated with higher odds of recent
suicide ideation for both gay/lesbian and questioning students. The association between
sexual orientation and self-directed violence were mixed and varied by strata. Lesbian/gay
students who viewed religion as very important had greater odds for recent suicidal
ideation and lifetime suicide attempt compared with heterosexual individuals. Bisexual
and questioning sexual orientations were significantly associated with recent suicide
ideation, recent attempt, and lifetime attempt across all strata of religious importance,
but the strongest effects were among those who reported that religion was very important.
Conclusions
Religion-based services for mental health and suicide prevention may not benefit gay/lesbian,
bisexual, or questioning individuals. Religion-based service providers should actively
assure their services are open and supportive of gay/lesbian, bisexual, or questioning
individuals.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 14, 2018
Identification
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Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Journal of Preventive Medicine
