Association between polyvictimization and multiple suicide attempts among sexual minority youth: Findings from the 2015-2021 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Background: Few studies have examined the association between polyvictimization and multiple suicide attempts among sexual minority youth (SMY) using nationally representative samples. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of polyvictimization among SMY and the cross-sectional association between polyvictimization and multiple suicide attempts among SMY. Participants and settings: Data for this study came from the 2015-2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The sample consisted of 10,092 youth (aged 14-18 years) who self-identified as lesbian, gay, questioning. Methods: Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between polyvictimization and multiple suicide attempts among SMY. Results: Of the 10,092 SMY, 13.9 % attempted suicide multiple times during the past year, and 15.6 % experienced three or more forms of victimization. Controlling for other factors, the risk of multiple suicide attempts was 10.72 times higher for SMY who experienced three or more forms of victimization (RRR = 10.72, 95 % CI = 7.52-15.27) and 3.90 times higher for those who experienced two forms of victimization (RRR = 3.90, 95 % CI = 2.70-5.62), when compared to their non-victimized SMY counterparts. Conclusions: Interventions that seek to reduce violence and victimization targeted at SMY may be effective in preventing multiple suicide attempts among SMY.