Suicide Risk for Sexual Minorities in Middle and Older Age: Evidence From the National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Abstract

Objective: No studies have estimated the difference in suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts for lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) adults aged 50+ compared with heterosexuals using nationally representative data.

Methods: We used 2015-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to estimate the prevalence of self-reported suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts for LGB adults 50+ compared with heterosexuals in the preceding 12 months.

Results: Over 185,000 LGB adults aged 50+ in the United States were estimated to have had suicidal ideation in the preceding year. After adjusting for sex and race/ethnicity, LGB individuals aged 50+ had a 4.5 percentage point higher prevalence of suicidal ideation compared with heterosexuals (prevalence difference [PD]: 0.045; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.022, 0.067). Of those with suicidal ideation, LGB individuals aged 50+ had a 17.2 percentage point higher prevalence of suicide plans compared with heterosexuals (PD: 0.172; 95% CI: 0.011, 0.332).

Conclusion: LGB adults in middle and older age have higher suicidal ideation and plans than heterosexual peers.

Keywords: Aged; middle-aged; sexual and gender minorities; suicidal ideation; suicide.