Major study of Oregon high schoolers probes teen mental health and social climates
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.
9 comments:
Just hope the intolerent conservatives out there will ask themselves, "What would Jesus do?" We are not here to judge others people. Let God handle that.
More liberal B.S.
good riddance. were overpopulated anyway.
Seems to pick strange items from statistics and without saying so leaves you thinking that maybe there is a cause/effect relationship. Someone methinks is a Democrat.
You can be conservative without being repressive. But of course, you have to think for yourself. Try it sometime.
9:56
"what would Jesus do?", well he wouldn't be gay now would he..saying anything in this country is like walking on egg shells. Anything you say will offend so group somewhere. Gay rights programs in school? Wtf. Gays and mexicans are going to rule the world.
11:22 - if you are concerned about overpopulation, what are your opinions on abortion?
BTW- I think this article is mostly worthless. This issue is not caused by political winds of a particular community, just like teen suicide was not caused by heavy metal music.
One can blame conservatives and liberals for a lot of things, but my guess is they all love their kids, and want to make sure this issue is approached with intelligence and care.
More of the liberal lies trying to justify their molestation of our children.
This is nothing new.Can you imagine what it was like for gay teens just 50 years ago,or even 100 years ago? If "liberal lies" will cause one less tormented kid to take their life, then so be it. I believe in God but I also believe in live and let live.Just because I don't want to be gay does not mean I have any right to judge their lifestyle.None of us can.
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