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Marriage Equality Laws and Youth Mental Health

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  • D. Mark Anderson
  • Kyutaro Matsuzawa
  • Joseph J. Sabia

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 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) youths. Using data from the state Youth Risk Behavior Survey 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, suicidal ideation, or depression. Instead, we find some evidence that SSM legalization via judicial mandate is associated with worse mental health for these youths.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Mark Anderson & Kyutaro Matsuzawa & Joseph J. Sabia, 2021. "Marriage Equality Laws and Youth Mental Health," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 64(1), pages 29-51.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlawec:doi:10.1086/711128
    DOI: 10.1086/711128
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    Cited by:

    1. Sugiyama, Yuri, 2022. "Can Soft Law Improve the Welfare of Sexual Minorities? The Case of Same-sex Partnership Policy in Japan," CEI Working Paper Series 2022-06, Center for Economic Institutions, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University.
    2. Dimitrios Nikolaou, 2023. "Same‐Sex Marriage Legalization and Sexually Transmitted Infections Across Europe," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 85(1), pages 35-69, February.
    3. Scott M. Delhommer & Daniel S. Hamermesh, 2021. "Same‐Sex Couples and the Gains to Marriage: The Importance of the Legal Environment," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(4), pages 1120-1139, September.
    4. Dimitrios Nikolaou, 2023. "Effects of marriage equality legislation on sexual health of the US population," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(1), pages 107-133, January.

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