Gay Teen Suicides (And Straight) More Common In Politically Conservative Areas

[onehandle]

Source: AP

CHICAGO -- Suicide attempts by gay teens – and even straight kids – are more common in politically conservative areas where schools don't have programs supporting gay rights, a study involving nearly 32,000 high school students found.

Those factors raised the odds and were a substantial influence on suicide attempts even when known risk contributors like depression and being bullied were considered, said study author Mark Hatzenbuehler, a Columbia University psychologist and researcher.

His study found a higher rate of suicide attempts even among kids who weren't bullied or depressed when they lived in counties less supportive of gays and with relatively few Democrats. A high proportion of Democrats was a measure used as a proxy for a more liberal environment.

The research focused only on the state of Oregon and created a social index to assess which outside factors might contribute to suicidal tendencies. Other teen health experts called it a powerful, novel way to evaluate a tragic social problem. "Is it surprising? No. Is it important? Yes," said Dr. Robert Blum of Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/18/gay-teen-suicides-and-str_n_850345.html

[Ian David]

1. Suicide in general increases when Conservatives are in charge.

More suicides under Conservative rule

The suicide rate increases under Conservative governments, research suggests.

Australian scientists found the suicide rate in the country increased significantly when a Conservative government was in power.

And an analysis of figures in the UK seems to suggest a similar trend.

The Australian team analysed suicide statistics for New South Wales between 1901, when the federal government was established, and 1998.

More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2263690.stm

[Stumbler]

3. That's exactly what I thought when I read the headline.

[nolabear]

2. Well, sure. People need one another as much as we need food and water. Conservatives shun people.

Kids are experimenting with who they are, trying very hard to form and acknowledge identities that are separate, and when part of that identity threatens to get you castigated by your family, your peers, your community, the fear and horror are almost, and sometimes are, unbearable. Conservatism by definition dislikes having things, or people, think outside of a narrow norm.

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. It's more than shunning.

If you think you are cursed by God or that God hates you it would be very difficult to handle.

And there is always the danger that you might get beaten to death if people find out.

Its a very rough road to walk. Once kids get older they begin to realize they can move away and just go live somewhere where they are accepted. Then life gets lots better.

[slackmaster]

5. Bullshit title. The study concerned self-reported suicide ATTEMPTS, not suicides.

:nuke:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2010-3020v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=suicide&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT