Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Study: Tolerance Can Lower Gay Kids' Suicide Risk by Joseph Shapiro

All Things Considered, December 29, 2008




Gay, lesbian and bisexual teens and young adults have one of the highest rates of suicide attempts — and some other health and mental health problems, including substance abuse. A new study suggests that parental acceptance, and even neutrality, with regard to a child's sexual orientation could have a big impact in reducing this rate.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that the gay, lesbian and bisexual young adults and teens at the highest risk of attempting suicide and having some other health problems are ones whoreported a high level of rejection by their families as a result of their sexual orientation.

"A little bit of change in rejecting behavior, being a little bit more accepting," says lead researcher Caitlin Ryan, "can make a significant difference in the child's health and mental health." Read more


The staff at the Family Acceptance Project at
San Francisco State University

Family Acceptance Project - building healthy futures for youth
Groundbreaking Research on
Family Rejection of
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adolescents
Establishes Predictive Link to
Negative Health Outcomes

Paper Authored by Dr. Caitlin Ryan of San Francisco State University's
"
Family Acceptance Project"to be Published in

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