NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1466196
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Apr
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: EISSN-1746-1561
Available Date: 2025-03-04
Assessing the Prevalence of Suicidality and Protective Factors among Sexually and Gender Diverse Youth--Washington, 2021
Randy M. Stalter1; Maayan Simckes1; Anar Shah1; Hannah Gorman1,2; Juliana S. Grant1,3; Jessica A. Marcinkevage1; Sara Jaye Sanford4; Genya N. Shimkin5; Kirstin McFarland1; Cathy R. Wasserman1
Journal of School Health, v95 n4-5 p349-360 2025
Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth aged 10-24 years in Washington State. Population-based data on suicidality among sexually and gender diverse (SGD) youth and modifiable protective factors from Washington are limited. Methods: Using data from the 2021 Washington Healthy Youth Survey, a statewide, population-based, cross-sectional survey among 8th-12th graders, we compared suicidality (suicide ideation, planning, and attempt) among SGD youth with heterosexual, cisgender youth. Prevalence ratios (PRs) adjusted for grade and urban-rural status were used to assess family, school, and community protective factors of suicidality among SGD youth. Results: Of 121,401 included students, 34,635 (28.5%) identified as SGD. Among SGD youth, 41.2% reported suicidal ideation, 32.8% reported suicide planning, and 17.8% reported a suicide attempt during the past year, 3.3-3.8 times higher than heterosexual, cisgender respondents. Having opportunities for school involvement (PR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.53-0.55) and feeling safe at school (PR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.58-0.60) were associated with the lowest relative prevalence of suicidal ideation among SGD youth. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Interventions that engage adults to establish safe and supportive environments might help to prevent suicidality among SGD youth. Conclusions: Many Washington 8th, 10th, and 12th graders identified as SGD, and these youth experienced a substantial, disproportionate prevalence of suicidality Multiple family, school, and community protective factors were associated with lower suicidality among SGD youth and could be helpful points of intervention for statewide youth suicidality programs.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Grade 8; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Grade 10; High Schools; Grade 12
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Washington State Department of Health, Tumwater, Washington, USA; 2Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; 3Public Health Nerds, LLC, Seattle, Washington, USA; 4Public Health — Seattle & King County, Seattle, Washington, USA; 5Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA