American Journal of Public Health, Vol 90, Issue 4 573-578, Copyright © 2000 by American Public Health Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Lifetime prevalence of suicide symptoms and affective disorders among men reporting same-sex sexual partners: results from NHANES III

SD Cochran and VM Mays
Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health 90095-1772, USA. cochran@ucla.edu

OBJECTIVES: This study examined lifetime prevalence of suicide symptoms and affective disorders among men reporting a history of same-sex sexual partners. METHODS: In the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, men aged 17 to 39 years were assessed for lifetime history of affective disorders and sexual behavior patterns. The study classified this subset of men into 3 groups: those reporting same-sex sexual partners, those reporting only female sexual partners, and those reporting no sexual partners. Groups were compared for histories of suicide symptoms and affective disorders. RESULTS: A total of 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3%, 3.1%) of men reported same-sex sexual partners. These men evidenced greater lifetime prevalence rates of suicide symptoms than men reporting only female partners. However, homosexually/bisexually experienced men were no more likely than exclusively heterosexual men to meet criteria for lifetime diagnosis of other affective disorders. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide further evidence of an increased risk for suicide symptoms among homosexually experienced men. Results also hint at a small, increased risk of recurrent depression among gay men, with symptom onset occurring, on average, during early adolescence.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. S. DiStefano Suicidality and Self-Harm Among Sexual Minorities in Japan Qual Health Res, October 1, 2008; 18(10): 1429 - 1441. [Abstract] [PDF]

				I. H. Meyer, J. Dietrich, and S. Schwartz Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Suicide Attempts in Diverse Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Populations Am J Public Health, June 1, 2008; 98(6): 1004 - 1006. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. D. Cochran and V. M. Mays Physical Health Complaints Among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexual and Homosexually Experienced Heterosexual Individuals: Results From the California Quality of Life Survey Am J Public Health, November 1, 2007; 97(11): 2048 - 2055. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. L. Corliss, M. D. Shankle, and M. B. Moyer Research, Curricula, and Resources Related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health in US Schools of Public Health Am J Public Health, June 1, 2007; 97(6): 1023 - 1027. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y Hidaka and D Operario Attempted suicide, psychological health and exposure to harassment among Japanese homosexual, bisexual or other men questioning their sexual orientation recruited via the internet. J Epidemiol Community Health, November 1, 2006; 60(11): 962 - 967. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Ramirez-Valles, S. Fergus, C. A. Reisen, P. J. Poppen, and M. C. Zea Confronting Stigma: Community Involvement and Psychological Well-Being Among HIV-Positive Latino Gay Men Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, February 1, 2005; 27(1): 101 - 119. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. W. Roberts and R. L. Miller Intervening in the HIV/AIDS Crisis: The Role of Black Psychologists Journal of Black Psychology, February 1, 2004; 30(1): 138 - 160. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. King, E. McKeown, J. Warner, A. Ramsay, K. Johnson, C. Cort, L. Wright, R. Blizard, and O. Davidson Mental health and quality of life of gay men and lesbians in England and Wales: Controlled, cross-sectional study The British Journal of Psychiatry, December 1, 2003; 183(6): 552 - 558. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. T. Russell Sexual Minority Youth and Suicide Risk American Behavioral Scientist, May 1, 2003; 46(9): 1241 - 1257. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Skegg, S. Nada-Raja, N. Dickson, C. Paul, and S. Williams Sexual Orientation and Self-Harm in Men and Women Am J Psychiatry, March 1, 2003; 160(3): 541 - 546. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. P. Paul, J. Catania, L. Pollack, J. Moskowitz, J. Canchola, T. Mills, D. Binson, and R. Stall Suicide Attempts Among Gay and Bisexual Men: Lifetime Prevalence and Antecedents Am J Public Health, August 1, 2002; 92(8): 1338 - 1345. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. F. JORM, A. E. KORTEN, B. RODGERS, P. A. JACOMB, and H. CHRISTENSEN Sexual orientation and mental health: results from a community survey of young and middle-aged adults The British Journal of Psychiatry, May 1, 2002; 180(5): 423 - 427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. M. Mays and S. D. Cochran Mental Health Correlates of Perceived Discrimination Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States Am J Public Health, November 1, 2001; 91(11): 1869 - 1876. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]