An examination of the association between risky sexual behaviors and suicidal behaviors among adolescents: Findings from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Although various studies have examined the association between risky sexual behaviors and mental health outcomes, few studies have investigated the association between risky sexual behaviors and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between risky sexual behaviors and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents from the United States. Data for this study came from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. An analytic sample of 5,125 adolescents aged 14–18 years (50.1% female) who have ever had sexual intercourse was analyzed using binary logistic regression. The outcome variables examined were suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, and the main explanatory variable was risky sexual behaviors. Among the 5,125 adolescents who have ever had sexual intercourse, 22.8% experienced suicidal ideation, and 11.6% attempted suicide during the past 12 months. In the multivariable logistic regression, adolescents who had unprotected sexual intercourse had 1.24 times higher odds of reporting suicidal ideation (AOR = 1.24, p <.05, 95% CI = 1.01–1.54). In addition, adolescents who had four or more sexual partners in their lifetime had 1.61 times higher odds of making a suicide attempt (AOR = 1.61, p <.001, 95% CI = 1.25–2.07). Other significant factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts include being a sexual minority, being a victim of sexual violence, experiencing school bullying and cyberbullying victimization, having symptoms of depression, and misusing prescription pain medication. The findings of the present study highlight the association between risky sexual behaviors and suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents.