Suicide Protective and Risk Factors for Sexual Minority Youth: Applying the Cumulative Factor Model

This report explores suicide protective and risk factors for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth and offers a Cumulative Factor Model constructed from these factors. Numerous studies to date have concluded that a youth's sexual minority identity is a key risk factor for suicide. Few studies however have explored the internal and external protective factors that may cumulate to increase or reduce suicidal ideation and risk among this LGB population. Counseling implications for both assessment and intervention strategies are discussed in light of this cumulative factor approach to understand and potentially stem LGB youth suicide.