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from Medical Issues
New Zealand Study Suggests Higher Rates
Of Self-Harm And Suicidal Behavior
For Same-Sex Attracted Individuals
By Roy Waller
A study appearing in the March 2003 issue of The American
Journal of Psychology found higher rates of non-fatal
suicidal behavior among those with homosexual attractions
than among the heterosexual population.
The research, conducted in New Zealand among 946 men and
women, dealt with three basic groups of respondents: 770
men and women who reported exclusive, life-long heterosexual
attractions, 155 of both genders who claimed "minor"
same-sex attraction, and 17 (eight men, nine women) who said
they consistently experienced same-sex attraction. (Four
women who reported never having experienced attraction to
either sex were excluded.)
The focus of the research was on subjects who reported
homosexual attraction, rather than actual behavior.
The study was actually conducted over a period of
twenty-three years, beginning with an initial group of 1,037
three-year old children who received extensive medical,
psychological, and behavioral assessments at intervals for
the next two decades.
Besides sexual attraction, other variables used in the study
included ethnicity, level of education, employment,
socioeconomic status, domestic arrangements (living with a
spouse or other partner), and whether the respondent had
children of their own.
Highlights of the study's findings include:
- Attempts at self-inflicted harm by both men and women were
increased significantly with the degree of homosexual
attraction. Even among men who reported only "minor
same-sex attraction," a marked increase in the occurrences
of physical self-injury was noted.
- Episodes of depression during the twelve months prior to
the polling were rated significant by the researchers,
especially among the male subjects, and also increased
greatly in proportion to increased levels of homosexual
attraction.
- Substance abuse was also a major factor examined by the
study. Both sexes reported elevated rates of substance
abuse during the same twelve-month period. The researchers
note that the women particularly appeared to show increased
incidents of substance abuse with an increased degree of
lesbian attraction.
- Domestically, men and women who reported strong,
consistent homosexual attraction were less likely to be
living with a spouse or partner of either gender.
- Overall, men who admitted any same-sex attraction of
whatever degree and persistency, seemed to be at a
significantly higher risk than women of like responses in
their reporting of deliberate self-harm over the course of a
lifetime.
Among other comments made by the research team, it was
conjectured that men in the specifically-targeted group may
have had more difficulty dealing with their same-sex
attraction than women. It was also suggested that a
willingness by either sex to disclose homosexual feelings
could be part of a larger willingness to discuss suicidal
behavior, depression, and substance abuse.
The entire article may be read at http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org
Reference:
Skegg, K., S. Nada-Raja, N. Dickson, C. Paul, S. Williams,
"Sexual Orientation and Self-Harm in Men and Women,"
American Journal of Psychiatry, 160:3; 541-546, March 2003.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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