Betydningen av seksuell erfaring, tiltrekning og identitet for ...

of first attempt reported by the respondents in this particular sample. The
logistic regression strategy was first to analyze the bivariate associations
between the relevant independent variables and the dependent variable ----
suicide attempt. Based on these associations, larger multivariate logistic
regression models were then constructed. The aim of these multivariate
analyses was to identify specific explanatory factors that have an impact on
the probability of suicide attempt among gay/lesbian youths and young
adults, controlling for relevant background factors and general suicide risk
factors 2 . The models was tested in separate runs for males/females and
youths/young adults.
Instruments
Suicide attempt: The prevalence of suicide attempt ever was measured using
the general question ‘Have you ever tried to take your own life?’ The
alternative responses were ‘No, never’, ‘Yes, once’ and ‘Yes, several times’.
This question was used as the dependent dichotomous variable in logistic
regressions, where respondents reporting one or several suicide attempts
were assigned the value 1. In the follow--up, respondents were asked to
indicate their age at the time of the (first) attempt. They were also asked to
tick off the most important reasons for attempting to take their own life on a
list of 17 possible reasons (Bancroft, Skrimshire and Simkin, 1976;
Schneider et al., 1989).
/Insert Table 1 and 2 near here/
General risk factors (Table 1): Intrapersonal, latent factors included
internalizing problems, measured by self--reported anxiety and depression
during the previous 14 days (Hopkins Symptom Checklist HSCL, Derogatis,
Lipman, Uhlenhut and Covi, 1974) and global self--esteem, measured using
the mean score for 4 items from Rosenberg’s Self--esteem Scale (Rosenberg,
1965).
Manifest and interpersonal general risk factors included familial and
peer social support as well as substance use and violence. Lack of parental
contact was measured according to the average frequency of meeting or
having telephone contact with mother or father, while number of intimate
friends was used as a measure of social support in the peer--group. The
respondents were also categorized according to their smoking habits.
Excessive use of alcohol was both measured by frequency of alcohol
consumption, as well as frequency of alcohol intoxication, the latter assessed
198
– NOVA Rapport 1/07 –