A systematic review of the factors associated with suicide attempts among sexual-minority youth

Background and objectives: Recent literature reported a higher risk of suicide attempts among sexual minority youth. Discovering the risk and protective factors of suicide attempts among this vul-nerable population can play a key role in reducing the suicide rate. Our research aims to systemati-cally search for the risk and protective factors for suicide attempts among sexual minority youth.Methods: We have conducted a systematic review of published studies of associated factors for suicide attempts in sexual minority youth. Four databases up to 2020 were searched to find rele-vant studies.Results: Twelve articles were included. For sexual minority youth, the identified risk factors associated with suicide attempts are early coming out, being unacceptable by families, dissatis-faction with sexual minority friendships, too few friends, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and bul-lying. The identified protective factors for suicide attempts are feeling safe at school, teacher support, anti-bullying policy, and other adult support.Conclusion: Both risk and protective factors for suicide attempts stem directly from the environ-ments in which youth grew up: family, school, and the internet. Effective preventive measures among sexual minority youth need to be developed and implemented. Societal-level anti-stigma interventions are needed to reduce the risk of victimization and awareness should be raised among family and friends.(c) 2022 Asociacion Universitaria de Zaragoza para el Progreso de la Psiquiatria y la Salud Mental. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.