SEXUAL MINORITY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS HAVE HIGHER SUICIDAL IDEATION

Resumen

University students have high rates of mental disorders, and this prevalence is higher in sexual minorities. This study aimed to analyze the association between sexual orientation and suicidal ideation in university students. The study population was composed of undergraduates of the State University of Londrina (UEL), located in Paraná, Brazil, members of the GraduaUEL project (2019). The outcome variable was suicidal ideation, and the predictor was sexual orientation. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed, with Odds Ratio (OR) calculation and 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 2,958 students were evaluated, the majority female (68.8%). Overall, 7.4% of the sample reported being homosexual and 14.7% bisexual. Suicidal ideation was identified in 32.1% of students, with 7.8% reporting these thoughts weekly or daily. Adjusted analysis indicated a significant association between sexual minorities and weekly/daily suicidal ideation in the general student population (homosexual: OR= 1.87; 95% CI 1.10-3.17; bisexual: OR= 2.63; 95% CI 1.83-3.79) and in females (homosexual: OR= 2.37; 95% CI 1.07-5.27; bisexual: OR= 2.80; 95% CI 1.86-4.20), when compared to heterosexuals. It can be concluded, with this study, that sexual minority students, especially females and bisexuals, are more likely to have suicidal ideation, when compared to heterosexual students.