Working Paper: NBER ID: w31702
Authors: Chad Meyerhoefer; Bingjin Xue; Anna Poznanska
Abstract: We investigate the consequences of anti-LGBT laws in Poland for suicide attempts and fatalities by applying border-area difference-in-differences models to county-level data. We find that annual suicide attempts increased by 16%, or 5 attempts per 100k capita, after the enactment of anti-LGBT statutes. This rise in suicide attempts was concentrated among men, and was associated with 11 additional suicides per 100k individuals aged 30-49. We also find an increase in suicide attempts in areas that deliberated, but subsequently rejected anti-LGBT resolutions, providing evidence that stigmatization of minority groups leads to declines in population mental health.
Keywords: LGBT rights; mental health; suicide attempts; Poland; difference-in-differences
JEL Codes: I12; K38
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Enactment of antilgbt statutes in Poland (P37) | Increase in annual suicide attempts (I12) |
| Enactment of antilgbt statutes in Poland (P37) | Increase in annual suicide fatalities (I12) |
| Stigmatization from legislative discussions (J18) | Increase in suicide attempts (I12) |
| Minority stress induced by antilgbt laws (J15) | Increased suicide attempts (I12) |
| Minority stress induced by antilgbt laws (J15) | Increased suicide fatalities (I12) |