Marriage Equality Laws and Youth Suicidal Behaviors

D. Mark Anderson, Kyutaro Matsuzawa and Joseph J. Sabia

No 26364, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

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, we explore the relationship between marriage equality and suicidal behaviors among LGBQ-identifying youths. Despite previous research suggesting otherwise, 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, consistent with a story of social backlash.

JEL-codes: I1 I12 J12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-law
Note: EH
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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