Tamara Thomas

Urban Health Today

A large number of LGBTQ+ youth, especially those aged 13-17, believe their chances of living to age 35 are low, according to a survey published by The Trevor Project.
Previous research found that LGBTQ+ youth report higher rates of mental health issues, often tied to experiences of marginalization or stress in comparison to their peers. However, little is known about how life purpose and perceived expectancy affect the mental health of young LGBTQ+ people. 
The researchers obtained data from the organization’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People. The study included over 28000 13 to 24-year-old LGBTQ+ youth surveyed through targeted social media ads. 
The research reveals that a majority (64%) of LGBTQ+ young people believe they have a high chance of living to age 35. However, about 36% believe their chances are low.  
The researchers examined how perceptions of life expectancy varied among LGBTQ+ youth groups. They found that 73% of 18-24 year olds felt more confident about living to a much older age, compared to 59% of 13-17 year olds.
This disparity in life expectancy perceptions extended to other demographics as well. Multisexual youth (e.g., bisexual, pansexual, and queer) reported a lower likelihood of reaching 35 (63%) than monosexual youth (e.g., lesbian, gay) at 68%. Similarly, transgender and nonbinary individuals (53%) held lower expectations than their gender-questioning (63%) and cisgender (79%) peers. Racial and ethnic minorities within the LGBTQ+ community (59%) also expressed lower life expectancy beliefs compared to White LGBTQ+ youth (69%).
Dr. Steven Hobaica, a research scientist at The Trevor Project, explained these demographic variations. He noted that LGBTQ+ youth who identified as younger, multisexual, transgender, or people of color were more likely to predict shorter lifespans compared to their peers.
“This is likely due to increased levels of stress and having more negative experiences in comparison to their peers, which, over time, can lead to the accumulation of minority stress and mental health concerns,” Dr. Hobaica explained. “For example, research has consistently identified that specific identities, such as transgender and nonbinary youth, bisexual youth, and those who have multiple marginalized identities, report higher rates of both stressful life events and mental health problems than their peers, which may help explain these findings.”
The survey also showed that those young people who predicted they had a lower chance of living to the age of 35 also reported higher rates of anxiety (82%) and depression (77%) than those who predicted a higher chance of living to 35, at 58% and 40%, respectively.
Similarly, young people who believed they had a lower chance of living to age 35 reported higher rates of self-harm in the past year (77%), suicidal ideation (69%), and suicide attempts (28%).
Dr. Hobaica said what stood out strongly for him in the survey result was “how strongly related both perceived life expectancy and life purpose were with a past-year suicide attempt.”
“Even more than before, I recognize the importance of including questions on these aspects of a young person’s experience when assessing for a past or future suicide attempt and encourage other researchers and health professionals to do so, as well.” 
Source: <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-34-of-lgbtq-youth-say-they-dont-expect-to-live-to-age-35">Healthline</a>
Original: <a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/perceived-life-expectancy-and-life-purpose-in-lgbtq-young-people/">The Trevor Project</a>

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A survey by The Trevor Project found that 36% of LGBTQ+ youth do not believe they will live to age 35, and report higher anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.