Marriage Equality Laws and Youth Mental Health

D. Mark Anderson (), Kyutaro Matsuzawa () and Joseph J. Sabia ()
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D. Mark Anderson: Montana State University
Kyutaro Matsuzawa: San Diego State University
Joseph J. Sabia: San Diego State University

No 12819, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Since the landmark ruling in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health in 2004, the legalization of same-sex marriage (SSM) has proliferated throughout the United States via either legislative action or court order. Advocates of SSM laws argue that marriage equality will generate important health benefits not only for adult same-sex couples, but also for LGBQ-identifying youths. Using data from the State Youth Risk Behavior Surveys for the period 1999-2017, we explore the relationship between marriage equality and suicidal behaviors among LGBQ-identifying youths. We find little evidence that SSM laws have reduced suicide attempts among teen sexual minorities, nor have they decreased the likelihood of suicide planning, suicide ideation, or depression. Instead, we find some evidence that SSM legalization via judicial mandate is associated with worse mental health for these individuals.

Keywords: risky health behaviors; youth suicide; same-sex marriage laws (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 58 pages
Date: 2019-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-law
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Published - published in: Journal of Law and Economics, 2021, 64 (1), 29-51.

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