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Kiekens WJ, Van der Ploeg R, Fish JN, Salway T, Kaufman TML, Baams L. Trends in Bullying Victimization and Social Unsafety for Sexually and Gender Diverse Students. J Youth Adolesc 2024; 53:1579-1592. [PMID: 38270823 PMCID: PMC11136792 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-024-01943-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Research has documented trends in bullying victimization for sexually diverse adolescents in the US, but trends regarding school social unsafety are understudied and there is a dearth of research examining these trends for gender diverse adolescents. This study aimed to identify disparities in bullying victimization and feelings of social unsafety in schools for sexually and gender diverse adolescents. Data stem from the 2014 (N = 15,800; M age = 14.17, SD = 1.50), 2016 (N = 22,310; M age = 14.17, SD = 1.49), and 2018 (N = 10,493; M age = 14.02, SD = 1.52) survey cycles of the Social Safety Monitor, a Dutch cross-sectional school-based study. Findings indicate that sexual orientation disparities remained relatively small, but stable over time, while gender diverse adolescents remained more likely to be victimized and feel unsafe in school, with larger disparities overall. Monitoring these trends is highly relevant, especially considering recent negative developments regarding societal acceptance of sexual and gender diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Kiekens
- Department of Sociology/Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology, (ICS), University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 31, 9712 TG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - R Van der Ploeg
- Department of Pedagogy and Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 38, 9712 TJ, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - J N Fish
- Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, 4200 Valley Dr., College Park, MD, 20740, USA
| | - T Salway
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - T M L Kaufman
- Department of Education and Pedagogy, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L Baams
- Department of Pedagogy and Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 38, 9712 TJ, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Huang J, Kaufman TML, Baams L, Branje S. Peer Bullying Victimization Trajectories for Sexually and Gender Diverse Youth from Early Childhood to Late Adolescence. J Youth Adolesc 2024:10.1007/s10964-024-02020-8. [PMID: 38849685 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-024-02020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Sexually and gender diverse (SGD) youth experience more peer bullying victimization than heterosexual, cisgender youth during adolescence, yet the emergence and persistence of these disparities remain underexplored. Also, it is unclear which factors are associated with these disparities across development, and how these disparities are linked to late adolescent health discrepancies. This study utilized the sample from the Millennium Cohort Study in Britain (N = 10,080; 51.3% assigned female at birth; Mage = 2.28, SDage = 0.46 at Wave 2), in which 23.74% of youth reported non-heterosexual attraction, 21.59% reported non-heterosexual identity, and 1.08% reported gender identity not in line with the sex assigned at birth. Using latent class growth modeling, four peer bullying victimization trajectories were identified, with early peak (7.2%), late childhood peak (6.3%), adolescence onset (12.8%), and low (73.6%) rates of victimization. SGD youth, compared to heterosexual and cisgender youth, were found to have increased odds of being in the victimization-involved classes, especially the adolescence onset class. The study further revealed that SGD youth reported more mental health and relational difficulties in childhood, which were linked to their heightened risk of longer-lasting victimization. Further, long-term victimization was found to partially account for the disparities in health and well-being for SGD youth in late adolescence. In conclusion, SGD youth were more likely to experience longer-lasting bullying victimization during childhood and adolescence, its related mental and relational vulnerabilities were already established in childhood, and such victimization disparities were further linked to their detrimental health and well-being in late adolescence. The design, hypotheses, and target analyses of the current study were preregistered on 21st April 2023 at https://osf.io/f2zxy .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Huang
- Department of Youth and Family, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Tessa M L Kaufman
- Department of Youth and Family, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Baams
- Department of Pedagogy and Educational Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Susan Branje
- Department of Youth and Family, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Espino E, Jiménez-Díaz O, Del Rey R, Elipe P. Outlining Individual and Contextual Factors Related to LGBTQ+ Bullying: A Systematic Review of Two Decades of Research. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:898-917. [PMID: 37078578 DOI: 10.1177/15248380231165724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Scientific interest in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and any other sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression (LGBTQ+) bullying in educational settings has grown exponentially in recent years. However, the varied ways of measuring its occurrence and associated factors have made it difficult to achieve a holistic understanding of this problem. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to provide an updated overview of individual and contextual factors related to LGBTQ+ bullying over the past two decades, based on the measurement approach to this phenomenon. Studies published from 2000 to 2020 were analyzed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses strategy. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied in a staggered process, and 111 articles met all the criteria. Studies focusing on LGBTQ+ bullying victimization or aggression were eligible for inclusion. Our analysis revealed LGBTQ+ bullying is usually examined by measures of general aggressions (47.8%) from the victims' perspective (87.3%). The best-represented factors across studies were individual characteristics (63.1%; n = 70), especially participants' sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (68.5%). Boys/males, from a binary gender perspective, and sexual and gender minority youth in general, were more at risk of being targeted for LGBTQ+ bullying. Although contextual factors were far less well-represented, the results revealed that gay-straight alliances, anti-homophobia policies, and social support act as protective factors. This review highlights the need to analyze LGBTQ+ bullying considering the full spectrum of sexual and gender diversity, to examine in more detail its contextual risk/protective factors, and to design public policies and psychoeducational programs in order to address the low effectiveness of generic interventions. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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Coulter RW, Mahal IK, Lin CA, Schneider SK, Mathias AS, Baral K, Miller E, Abebe KZ. Providing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Nonbinary, and Queer Adolescents With Nurturance, Trustworthiness, and Safety: Protocol for Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Design. JMIR Res Protoc 2024; 13:e55210. [PMID: 38502156 PMCID: PMC10988370 DOI: 10.2196/55210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual and gender minority youths (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and queer individuals) face elevated risks of substance use (eg, alcohol and tobacco) and mental health issues (eg, depressive symptoms and suicidality) compared to their cisgender heterosexual peers. These inequities are hypothesized to be reduced by building supportive high school environments via the training of school staff. An intervention that trains school staff to better understand and support sexual and gender minority youths and engage in positive bystander behaviors that protect them from bullying exposure may reduce disparities in drug and alcohol use among them. Experts, school staff, and sexual and gender minority youths developed Providing LGBTQ+ Adolescents with Nurturance, Trustworthiness, and Safety (PLANTS), a web-based intervention to train school staff on how to support, affirm, and protect sexual and gender minority youths. OBJECTIVE This paper describes the design of the PLANTS pilot trial primarily aimed at assessing its acceptability, usability, appropriateness, and feasibility. We hypothesize PLANTS will have high acceptability, usability, appropriateness, and feasibility as rated by the school staff. Secondary objectives focus on implementation, safety, and pre-post changes in high school staff outcomes, including self-efficacy and skills (eg, active-empathic listening and bullying intervention). Exploratory objectives focus on the impact of PLANTS on student health outcomes. METHODS In a 2-arm cluster randomized controlled trial, high schools in Massachusetts are allocated to PLANTS or an active comparator group (publicly available sexual and gender minority youths resources or training). High school staff complete pretest and posttest surveys containing validated scales. Primary outcomes are validated measures of acceptability, usability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention completed by staff during posttest surveys. To test our primary hypotheses for each outcome, we will calculate means and 95% CIs and P values using 1-sample 2-sided t tests against a priori thresholds or benchmarks of success. Secondary outcomes include staff's active-empathetic listening skills, self-efficacy for working with sexual and gender minority youths, bystander intervention behaviors for bullying and cyberbullying, and self-efficacy for PLANTS' change objectives completed during pretest and posttest staff surveys. Staff can also complete a posttest interview guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavior model and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Exploratory outcomes include student-level data collected via the 2021 and 2023 MetroWest Adolescent Health Surveys, a health behavior surveillance system in 30 Massachusetts schools. RESULTS School enrollment began in May 2023 and participant enrollment began in June 2023. Data collection is expected to be completed by February 2024. CONCLUSIONS This pilot trial will yield important information about the PLANTS intervention and provide necessary information to conduct a fully powered trial of the efficacy of PLANTS for reducing the deleterious health inequities experienced by sexual and gender minority youths. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05897827; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05897827. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/55210.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ws Coulter
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Isabella Kaur Mahal
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Clarisse A Lin
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | | | - Aaryn S Mathias
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Karuna Baral
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Miller
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kaleab Z Abebe
- Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Watson RJ, Caba AE, Lawrence SE, Renley BM, McCauley PS, Wheldon CW, Eaton LA, Russell ST, Eisenberg ME. Examining Mental Health and Bullying Concerns at the Intersection of Sexuality, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity Among a National Sample of Sexual and Gender Diverse Youth. LGBT Health 2024; 11:20-27. [PMID: 37668602 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Most extant scholarship that examines the health experiences of sexual and gender diverse youth (SGDY) is limited in the ability to apply an intersectional framework due to small sample sizes and limitations in analytic methods that only analyze the independent contribution of social identities. To address this gap, this study explored the well-being of youth at the intersection of ethnic, racial, sexual, and gender identities in relation to mental health and bullying. Methods: Data were from a U.S. national survey of SGDY aged 13-18 years, collected in 2022 (N = 12,822). Exhaustive Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection analysis identified intersectional social positions bearing the greatest burden of negative health-related experiences (depression, anxiety, and past 30-day in-person victimization). Results: Transgender boys were among those at the highest prevalence for compromised mental health and peer-based in-person victimization. Although the primary distinguishing factor was transgender identity for depression and anxiety, there were no racial/ethnic distinctions, corroborating some previous scholarship. Asian cisgender and transgender girl SGDY shared the lowest burden of peer-based in-person victimization in school. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a need for scholars, health professionals, and other stakeholders to better understand the mechanisms that drive negative health experiences and in-person victimization experiences at the intersections of sexual, gender, racial, and ethnic identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Watson
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Antonia E Caba
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Samantha E Lawrence
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Benton M Renley
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peter S McCauley
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Christopher W Wheldon
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lisa A Eaton
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Stephen T Russell
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Marla E Eisenberg
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Russon J, Abbott CH, Jin B, Rivers AS, Winston-Lindeboom P, Kobak R, Diamond GS. Attachment-based family therapy versus nondirective supportive therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning adolescents with depression, and suicidal ideation: An exploratory study. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2023; 53:958-967. [PMID: 37732902 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) adolescents are particularly at risk for suicidal ideation; however, little clinical research is focused on treating this population. Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) is among the few empirically supported youth suicide treatments adapted for LGBQ adolescents. The purpose of this exploratory study is to determine the differential treatment effects and rates of change for LGBQ and heterosexual adolescents with depression and suicidal ideation receiving either ABFT or family enhanced nondirective supportive therapy (FE-NST). METHOD The sample included 129 adolescents (31% LGBQ), ages 12-18 randomized to the two treatment groups. Multilevel modeling was used to examine individual changes in depression and suicidal ideation over the 16-week treatment. RESULTS Results revealed that LGBQ adolescents in the ABFT condition showed a greater rate of reduction in depressive symptoms over treatment, slope = -0.94, p < 0.001, than did LGBQ adolescents in the NST condition, slope = -0.41, p = 0.12. Heterosexual adolescents showed symptom reduction in both treatment conditions (ABFT slope = -0.47, p < 0.001; NST slope = -0.79, t (113) = -7.48, p < 0.001). Changes in suicidal ideation were found across time, but not across conditions. CONCLUSION LGBQ adolescents in the ABFT condition had a sharper decrease in depressive symptoms and better outcomes at week 16.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jody Russon
- Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Caroline H Abbott
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bora Jin
- Dankook University, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Alannah Shelby Rivers
- Texas Woman's University, School of Social Work, Psychology, and Philosophy, Denton, Texas, USA
| | | | - Roger Kobak
- University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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Bhatia D, Berg O, Davies R, Mikulich Gilbertson S, Sakai J. The Association Between Sexual Identity, Depression, and Adolescent Substance Use. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023:10.1007/s10578-023-01630-w. [PMID: 38019347 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01630-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Sexual minority youth (SMY) represent a population vulnerable to several adverse health consequences. Specifically, SMY experience depression and substance use at substantially higher rates than heterosexual peers. Better understanding the relationship between depression and substance use among SMY may help reduce morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize that depression will moderate increased substance use rates seen in SMY. Weighted logistical analyses of covariance, adjusted for race/ethnicity, sex, and age, compared the relationship between sexual identity, depression, and substance use (14 outcomes), using data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 13,677) of high school students. SMY reported depression at rates nearly double than heterosexual peers (63.9% vs 33.0%). Except for vaping and alcohol, SMY had significantly higher odds of all SU (aORs 1.41-2.45, p < 0.001-0.0011). After adjusting for depression, odds of all SMY substance use decreased; most relationships remained significant (aORs 0.73-1.89), though the relationship between SMY and lifetime cannabis use became non-significant. The relationship between SMY and current vaping became significant and the relationship between SMY and alcohol and binge-drinking remained non-significant. SMY are at higher risk for use of most substances and depression compared to heterosexual youth. As depression consistently plays a role in the relationship between sexual minority status and adolescent substance use across a wide variety of substances, it may be a modifiable risk factor for substance use among sexual minority youth that should be screened for and treated. This study additionally provides important information for future studies examining nuances of SMY substance use patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devika Bhatia
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Health Sciences Building, Suite 5242, 1890 N Revere Ct, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Owen Berg
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Health Sciences Building, Suite 5242, 1890 N Revere Ct, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Robert Davies
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Health Sciences Building, Suite 5242, 1890 N Revere Ct, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Susan Mikulich Gilbertson
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Health Sciences Building, Suite 5242, 1890 N Revere Ct, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Joseph Sakai
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Health Sciences Building, Suite 5242, 1890 N Revere Ct, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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Bishop MD, Gonzales RA, Russell ST. Putting Research on LGBTQ+ Youth in Schools to Use: The Stories and Numbers Project. SOCIOLOGICAL FORUM (RANDOLPH, N.J.) 2023; 38:978-998. [PMID: 38313318 PMCID: PMC10836834 DOI: 10.1111/socf.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Publicly engaged social science can help to maximize research use for program and policy change toward equity. In what follows, we describe The Stories and Numbers Project as an example of publicly engaged research that moves the robust science of supporting LGBTQ+ (and all) students beyond the university and into the public sphere. We provide an overview of LGBTQ+ young people's experiences of their school climate and the science of LGBTQ+-supportive safe school strategies to contextualize the need for the Project. We discuss the theoretical foundations of the Project, as well as the experiences and resources that made the Project possible. We outline our multi-pronged strategy for research dissemination to LGBTQ+ students and key nodes of their social networks. Finally, we conclude with the lessons learned from the Stories and Numbers Project, and how they can be leveraged to activate research for social change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meg D Bishop
- Department of Family Science, The University of Maryland, College Park, 4200 Valley Drive, Suite 2242, College Park, Maryland 20742-2611
| | | | - Stephen T Russell
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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Lawrence SE, McMorris BJ, Simon KA, Gower AL, Eisenberg ME. Bullying Involvement at the Intersection of Gender Identity/Modality, Sexual Identity, Race, Ethnicity, and Disability: Prevalence Disparities and the Role of School-Related Developmental Assets. LGBT Health 2023; 10:S10-S19. [PMID: 37754921 PMCID: PMC10623467 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study examines adolescents' self-reported school-based developmental assets and four intersecting social positions as they relate to prevalence of bullying involvement. Methods: Participants were 80,456 ninth and 11th grade students who participated in the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey (30.2% youth of color; 11% lesbian/gay/bisexual/pansexual/queer/questioning; 2.9% transgender/gender diverse [TGD] or gender questioning). Exhaustive Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection analysis was used to identify school-based developmental assets (i.e., school safety, school adult support) and intersecting social positions (i.e., sexual identity; gender identity/modality; racial/ethnic identity; physical disabilities/chronic illness; and/or mental health/behavioral/emotional problems) associated with the highest prevalence of involvement as physical and relational bullies, victims, and bully-victims. Results: Adolescents with 2+ marginalized social positions who often lacked school-based developmental assets were part of nearly all the highest prevalence bullying involvement groups. TGD and gender questioning adolescents, Native American youth, and youth living with both physical disabilities/chronic illness and mental health/emotional/behavioral problems-most of whom had additional marginalized social positions and lacked school-based assets-were particularly overrepresented in high prevalence groups. For example, 31.1% of TGD or gender questioning youth of color living with both types of disabilities/health problems who did not feel strongly that school was safe reported involvement as physical bully-victims-nearly six times the sample average rate. Conclusion: Adolescents with multiple marginalized social positions and those lacking certain school-based assets-often overlapping categories-were involved in bullying at higher-than-average rates. Findings underscore the need for schools to address intersecting experiences of stigma and structural oppression that may perpetuate bullying involvement disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E. Lawrence
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Kay A. Simon
- Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Amy L. Gower
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marla E. Eisenberg
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Thomas SA, Clements-Nolle KD, Wagner KD, Omaye S, Lu M, Yang W. Protective Environmental Factors and Opioid Use Among Sexual Minority Youth. Am J Health Behav 2023; 47:618-627. [PMID: 37596742 DOI: 10.5993/ajhb.47.3.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Nonmedical use of prescription opioids (NMUPO) is a pressing public health concern and affects sexual minority youth (SMY) at greater rates than heterosexual youth. We investigated whether protective environmental factors-(1) Human Rights Campaign's state equality index (SEI) and (2) supportive school environments for LGBTQ youth, influenced NMUPO among SMY and non-SMY students. Methods: We combined data from the 2017-2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2016-2018 School Health Profiles, state-level socio-demographic and SEI data across 24 states (N=156,149). Generalized linear mixed models examined associations between (1) SEI and (2) supportive school environments for LGBTQ youth, with NMUPO, accounting for clustering at the school-and state-level. Results: Before adjustment, we found that youth in states with higher SEI were significantly less likely to engage in NMUPO compared to students in states with lower SEI, a relationship that became non-significant after adjustment. After adjusting for individual-and state-level indicators, SMY in states with supportive school environments for LGBTQ youth were less likely to engage in NMUPO. Conclusions: Supportive school environments for LGBTQ youth may play an important role in the health of SMY. Establishing more inclusive policies and supportive environments within schools may reduce NMUPO among SMY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn A Thomas
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
| | | | - Karla D Wagner
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Stanley Omaye
- College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, & Natural Resources, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Minggen Lu
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Wei Yang
- School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
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11
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Chan RCH, Lam MS. Sexual orientation disparities in developmental assets among youth: The mediating role of bullying victimization. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 143:106254. [PMID: 37348322 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Navigating the developmental transition from adolescence to young adulthood while simultaneously integrating the emergence of a sexual minority identity can be overwhelming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youth as the developmental tasks pose tremendous challenges to the cultivation of developmental assets, which are the building blocks necessary for fostering positive youth development and thriving. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to estimate the sexual orientation disparities in bullying victimization and developmental assets, investigate whether these sexual orientation differences varied by sex assigned at birth, and examine the mediating role of bullying victimization in the association between sexual orientation and developmental assets. METHODS This study included a national sample of 3020 Chinese youth (51.5 % assigned male at birth; 48.5 % assigned female at birth) with a mean age of 15.71 years. They completed a self-report questionnaire on experiences of bullying victimization and developmental assets. RESULTS Sexual minority and questioning youth showed significantly lower levels of developmental assets than heterosexual youth. The sexual orientation differences in developmental assets did not significantly differ by sex assigned at birth. In addition, sexual minority youth were at heightened risk of relational bullying than heterosexual youth. The results obtained from the structural equation modeling indicated that bullying victimization mediated the association of sexual orientation with developmental assets. Compared to heterosexual youth, sexual minority youth were more likely to be subjected to bullying, which was linked to lower levels of developmental assets. CONCLUSIONS The study shows sexual orientation disparities in developmental assets among youth in China and reveals that the positive development of sexual minority youth may be hindered by their experiences of bullying victimization. The implications for positive psychological interventions and anti-bullying policies in Chinese educational settings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randolph C H Chan
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong.
| | - Marcus Shengkai Lam
- Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong
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12
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Fertility Intentions and Sexual Orientation: Evidence from the 2020 Youth Survey in Estonia. POPULATION RESEARCH AND POLICY REVIEW 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11113-023-09773-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
AbstractAttitudes towards sexual minorities have undergone a transformation in Western countries recently. This has led to an increase in research into the experiences of sexual minorities in a variety of life domains. Although parenthood is a valued life goal only a few small-scale studies have looked into the parenthood goals of individuals in relation to their sexual orientation. The aims of this study are to analyse the diversity of sexual orientation, the factors associated with it and the relationship to fertility intentions among adolescents aged 16 to 19. The study draws on a nationally representative youth survey conducted in 2020 in Estonia (N = 1624), and employs descriptive methods and logistic and linear regression models. The results show that adolescents in Estonia exhibit considerable diversity of sexual orientation, with one-fifth reporting some degree of attraction to their own sex. The minority sexual orientation is more frequent among groups which can be regarded as more open or exposed to new behaviours, but is also associated with a disadvantaged family background. The results reveal a clear negative association between the intended number of children and the minority sexual orientation, which is not explained by other available variables.
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Ioverno S. Inclusive National Educational Policies as Protective Factors for LGBTI Youth Adjustment: An European Cross-National Study. J Adolesc Health 2023; 72:845-851. [PMID: 36872119 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate whether the presence of inclusive national educational policies is associated with more positive adjustment, better school experiences, and less harassment among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) youth. METHODS A total of 66,851 LGBTI youth aged 15-24 from 30 EU countries completed the EU-LGBTI II survey in 2019. Participants reported on feelings of sadness/depression, life satisfaction, lack of safety at school, being out at school as LGBTI, experiences of bias-based school violence, and experiences of general and bias-based harassment. Individual-level data were linked to country-level data on the presence of LGBTI-inclusive school policies obtained from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Intersex Youth and Student Organisation report which reviewed existing European educational measures. The inclusiveness of each policy was assessed by the inclusion of the following grounds as protected: Variation in sexual characteristics, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation. National policies were categorized into (1) antidiscrimination laws; (2) policies and action plans; (3) inclusive curricula; (4) teacher training; and (5) government support. RESULTS LGBTI youth with more inclusive school policies in their countries had lower odds of lack of school safety, and concealment, and higher odds of life satisfaction. Inclusive teacher training and curricula were associated with less lack of safety and depression/sadness, and less school bias-based violence. Moreover, whereas teacher training was associated with more visibility and less concealment among LGBTI youth, inclusive curricula were linked to less general and bias-based harassment experiences. DISCUSSION A multipronged national approach that includes teacher training and inclusive curricula is needed to better support LGBTI youth.
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Lam J, Campbell A. Trajectories of Loneliness Among Older Women and Men: Variation by Sexual Identity? THE GERONTOLOGIST 2023; 63:328-337. [PMID: 35452512 PMCID: PMC9960021 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to contribute to the literature on variation in later-life outcomes by sexual identity. Drawing on the Iridescent Life Course framework, we examined differences in loneliness trajectories, and tested the roles of social connectedness and support, and socioeconomic and health statuses in explaining any observed disparities. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using growth models, we analyzed 19 years of data (2001-2019) from adults aged 50 years and older from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey (n = 5,500 individuals), where a question on sexual identity was asked twice in the study. RESULTS One percent of our sample reported a change in their sexual identity, which we grouped with individuals who reported as bisexual. Our sample comprised of 45.3% heterosexual men, 52.2% heterosexual women, 0.6% gay men, 0.6% lesbian women, 0.6% bisexual-plus men, and 0.6% bisexual-plus women. We found bisexual-plus men were vulnerable to loneliness as they aged. This group had the highest levels of loneliness at age 50, and differences compared with heterosexual men persisted over time. Loneliness of bisexual-plus men increased steeply from age 70. Socioeconomic and health statuses did not explain the increased loneliness of older bisexual-plus men. Lower social support and connectedness partly accounted for these disparities. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Findings are discussed with regards to existing research and theories on social disadvantage and resilience over the life course. We expand knowledge on factors explaining loneliness and how it varies in women and men by sexual identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Lam
- Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Research Council of Excellence on Children and Families over the Life Course, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Alice Campbell
- Institute for Social Science Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Australian Research Council of Excellence on Children and Families over the Life Course, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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15
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Newman KL, Alexander DS, Rovers JP. Sadness, hopelessness and suicide attempts in bullying: Data from the 2018 Iowa youth survey. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281106. [PMID: 36791058 PMCID: PMC9931156 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bullying in schools is a common problem that can have significant consequences on the mental health of both bullies and victims of bullying. Some estimates suggest that 30% of American youth are bullied. Self-reported incidence of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts has been correlated with bullying. Victims may also suffer from a variety of somatic complaints such as headache, sleep disorders, and others. Youth surveys undertaken by Education or Public Health Departments in most US states are an underutilized resource in evaluating the problem and any consequences. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore the association of being involved in bullying either as a victim and/or a bully on mental health and suicide ideation by analyzing data from the 2018 Iowa Youth Survey. The results will then be applied to the published anti-bullying literature to make suggestions for how anti-bullying programs may be designed. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2018 Iowa Youth Survey (IYS), which is a cross-sectional survey of 6th, 8th and 11th grade students. We chose two mental health questions as dependent variables and used a multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate the correlation between the two dependent variables and ten types of bullying included in the IYS. Since some respondents in the IYS were prescribed psychotropic medications to help with feeling angry, anxious, nervous, or sad, we adjusted for the use of psychotropic medication in our analysis. Similarly, the literature suggests that some students are both bullies and victims (bully-victims). Accordingly, we also adjusted for bully-victims. RESULTS Unadjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) showed that not all forms of bullying were correlated with a significant risk of mental distress. Physical bullying had comparatively little association (ORs < 1 or overlapped 1), while identity bullying on sexual orientation or gender identity or sexual joking was consistently correlated with significant ORs for feeling sad or hopeless and attempting suicide (ORs 1.40-2.84). Cyberbullying (ORs 1.32-1.70) and social bullying (ORs < 1-2.21) were correlated with mental distress with ORs generally between physical and identity bullying. When adjusting for medication use or bully-victim status, adjusted ORs (aORs) were generally lower than unadjusted ORs. CONCLUSIONS Not all types of bullying were significantly correlated with feeling sad or hopeless or attempting suicide. Being able to evaluate the specific associations of different types of bullying may have implications for teachers or policy makers hoping to implement bullying mitigation strategies in their schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaela L. Newman
- College of Arts and Sciences, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Daniel S. Alexander
- College of Arts and Sciences, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America
| | - John P. Rovers
- College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Gill EK, McQuillan MT. LGBTQ+ Students' Peer Victimization and Mental Health before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11537. [PMID: 36141809 PMCID: PMC9517503 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Given the well-established health disparities between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and gender-expansive (LGBTQ+) and cisgender, straight youth, scholars predicted the COVID-19 pandemic would disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ students. Yet, few studies have described changes in LGBTQ+ students' school experiences and well-being during the pandemic. Using survey data from 40,904 middle and high school students, we examined changes from before (2018) to during (2021) the pandemic in peer victimization, anxiety, and suicide attempts. We conducted bivariate and multivariate regression analyses to assess changes between the two time points among LGBTQ+ and cisgender, straight students. We found LGBTQ+ students experienced more peer victimization, anxiety, and suicide attempts at both points, before and during the pandemic, than cisgender, straight youth. However, LGBTQ+ students reported increased anxiety, decreased peer victimization, and decreased suicide attempts in 2021, during the pandemic, compared to pre-pandemic 2018 reports. These findings suggest pandemic-related school disruptions may have provided LGBTQ+ students some relief from the harmful effects of poor, in-person school climates.
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17
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Lowry R, Kennedy K, Johns MM, Harper CR, Wilkins NJ. Associations Between School Absence and School Violence by Sexual Identity. Am J Prev Med 2022; 63:384-391. [PMID: 35715302 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sexual minority youth are disproportionately exposed to school violence compared with their heterosexual peers. It is unknown whether the associations between school absence and exposure to school violence vary by sexual identity. METHODS In 2021, data were combined from the 2015, 2017, and 2019 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys to produce nationally representative samples of U.S. high-school students who identified as gay/lesbian (n=1,061), identified as bisexual (n=3,210), were not sure of their sexual identity (n=1,696), or identified as heterosexual (n=35,819). Associations were examined between 3 school violence exposures (being threatened/injured with a weapon at school, being bullied at school, and being in a physical fight at school) and school absence due to safety concerns. In each sample, multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios adjusted for sex, race/ethnicity, grade, current substance use, being offered/sold drugs at school, feeling sad/hopeless, and suicidal thoughts. Adjusted prevalence ratios were considered statistically significant if 95% CIs did not include 1.0. RESULTS Exposure to school violence and school absence due to safety concerns were more prevalent among sexual minority students than among heterosexual students. Associations between exposure to school violence and school absence due to safety concerns were similar across sexual identity groups. For example, school absence was associated with being threatened/injured with a weapon at school among gay/lesbian (adjusted prevalence ratio=3.00), bisexual (adjusted prevalence ratio=3.66), those not sure (adjusted prevalence ratio=4.56), and heterosexual (adjusted prevalence ratio=3.75) students. CONCLUSIONS Associations between school absenteeism and school violence exist in each sexual identity group. Therefore, programs providing safe and supportive school environments may result in reduced absenteeism among all students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Lowry
- Office of the Director, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Katrina Kennedy
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
| | - Michelle M Johns
- Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Christopher R Harper
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Natalie J Wilkins
- Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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18
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Streed CG, Turner B, Beach LB, Marro R, Felt D, Wang X, Phillips G. Safety and Predictors of Sexual Minority Youth Carrying Weapons. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP8724-NP8746. [PMID: 33289455 PMCID: PMC8184859 DOI: 10.1177/0886260520978183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Prior research has revealed sexual minority youth are more likely to carry weapons both outside of and within school. However, to date, no study has examined the degree to which bullying and harassment is associated with weapon carrying among sexual minority youth. We utilized the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to examine the prevalence and likelihood of carrying weapons by sexual identity, adjusting for adverse experiences. From the Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2009-2015, we examined self-report of adverse experiences (e.g., being bullied, skipping school due to fear for personal safety) and performed Logistic regressions to estimate the odds of carrying a weapon and were adjusted to include demographics and adverse experiences. When surveyed by sexual identity, 14.0% of heterosexual, 21.8% of gay/lesbian, 18.5% of bisexual, and 17.4% of "not sure" students reported carrying a weapon in the past 30 days. Odds of carrying a weapon were significantly increased for youth who skipped school due to feeling unsafe at school, had ever been threatened with a weapon in the past year, and had ever been in a physical fight. Compared to heterosexual female peers, sexual minority women had increased odds of carrying a weapon. Pediatricians should recognize that experiencing bullying and feeling unsafe are associated with weapon carrying, particularly among sexual minorities. Pediatricians and professionals who work with youth should recognize that reported experiences of bullying may not be the most salient indicator of risk for weapon carrying among all youth, and that other fears of or experiences with bullying are crucial to screen for among sexual minorities in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl G. Streed
- Boston Medical Center, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA
- Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dylan Felt
- Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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19
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Biswas D, Chaudhuri A, Mitra N, Roy Chaudhuri H. Pride or Closet? Unpacking Experiences of Minority Stress, Coping, and Resistance among Gender and Sexual Minorities in India. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2022:1-27. [PMID: 35638922 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2022.2071662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In India, sexuality has long been a silent battleground, which has led to the legal acceptance of non-heteronormative practices in recent years. Given the risk of facing difficulties and social discrimination, questions may arise on the consequences of revealing non-heteronormative gender identity and sexual orientation. Using data from a two-year qualitative immersive study on the queer individuals in India and extant theories on Concealed Stigmatized Identity and Minority Stress, we explore the dynamics of disclosure, or "Coming-out of the closet" and construct a narrative on their lived experiences of stress and coping associated with marginal gender identity. Thematic analysis reveals that informants elaborate, borrow, and adapt perceptions and experiences of denial and loss of agency as queer individuals. Disclosure and Coming-out help them to find the "safe others." The findings indicate that this kinship and entitativity result in measurably higher well-being, happiness, and meaning in life. We conclude that rising above the minority stress can be the beginning of endless possibilities in different spheres of life for gender and sexual minorities. Participants' narratives unpack the embodied and contextual stereotypes and taboos and the precarity of living with non-normative identities. The paper makes a compelling argument that coping with gender marginalization, vulnerability, and loss of dignity can be achieved through a sense of purpose and meaning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nilanjana Mitra
- Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
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20
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Simon KA, Hawthorne HM, Clark AN, Renley BM, Farr RH, Eaton LA, Watson RJ. Contextualizing the Well-being of Asexual Youth: Evidence of Differences in Family, Health, and School Outcomes. J Youth Adolesc 2021; 51:128-140. [PMID: 34550495 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-021-01500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite increasing efforts to better understand sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY), asexual youth remain understudied. This study examines differences in health, family support, and school safety among asexual youth (n = 938) from a national study of SGMY (N = 17,112) ages 13-17. Compared to non-asexual youth, asexual youth were more likely to identify as transgender and report a disability, and less likely to identify as Black or Hispanic/Latino. Transgender (versus cisgender) asexual youth fared worse on most study outcomes. Cisgender asexual (versus cisgender non-asexual) youth fared worse on all study outcomes. Transgender asexual (versus transgender non-asexual) youth reported lower sexuality-related family support. These findings underscore the role of gender identity in understanding the experiences of asexual youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay A Simon
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
| | - Heath M Hawthorne
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Alyssa N Clark
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Benton M Renley
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Rachel H Farr
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lisa A Eaton
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Ryan J Watson
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
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21
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Watson RJ, Fish JN, Poteat VP, Wheldon CW, Cunningham CA, Puhl RM, Eaton LA. Teacher Support, Victimization, and Alcohol Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: Considering Ethnoracial Identity. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2021; 22:590-601. [PMID: 33609259 PMCID: PMC8195836 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-021-01216-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Although scholarship continues to document higher rates of alcohol use for sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth compared with heterosexual and cisgender youth, research identifying factors that mitigate SGM youths' risk is nascent. Youth spend substantial time in schools; therefore, teachers could play significant roles in attenuating these health concerns. We used data from a nationwide survey of 11,189 SGM youth (Mage = 15.52; 67.7% White) to explore whether perceived teacher social-emotional support attenuated the association between victimization and alcohol use, further conditioned by youths' specific ethnoracial identity. As expected, victimization was associated with more frequent alcohol use; however, greater perceived teacher support attenuated this association. The attenuating effect of perceived teacher support was significantly stronger for Hispanic/Latinx youth than White youth. Our findings have implications for alcohol use prevention among SGM youth, who face significant marginalization in schools and society. If we are to prevent alcohol use disparities among SGM youth, scholars and stakeholders (e.g., school administrators, teachers) should invest in building teacher efficacy to intervene in SGM-specific victimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Watson
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
| | - Jessica N Fish
- Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, 1142 Valley Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - V Paul Poteat
- Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, Boston College, Campion Hall 307, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA
| | - Christopher W Wheldon
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
| | - Casey A Cunningham
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Rebecca M Puhl
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Lisa A Eaton
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, U-1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
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22
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Gower AL, Valdez CAB, Watson RJ, Eisenberg ME, Mehus CJ, Saewyc EM, Corliss HL, Sullivan R, Porta CM. First- and Second-Hand Experiences of Enacted Stigma Among LGBTQ Youth. J Sch Nurs 2021; 37:185-194. [PMID: 31337243 PMCID: PMC6980976 DOI: 10.1177/1059840519863094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on enacted stigma, or stigma- and bias-based victimization, including bullying and harassment, among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth often focuses on one context (e.g., school) or one form (e.g., bullying or microaggressions), which limits our understanding of these experiences. We conducted qualitative go-along interviews with 66 LGBTQ adolescents (14-19 years) in urban, suburban, town, and rural locations in the United States and Canada identified through purposive and snowball sampling. Forty-six participants (70%) described at least one instance of enacted stigma. Three primary themes emerged: (1) enacted stigma occurred in many contexts; (2) enacted stigma restricted movement; and (3) second-hand accounts of enacted stigma shaped perceptions of safety. Efforts to improve well-being among LGBTQ youth must address the diverse forms and contexts of enacted stigma that youth experience, which limit freedom of movement and potential access to opportunities that encourage positive youth development. School nurses can play a critical role in reducing enacted stigma in schools and in collaboration with community partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Gower
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, 5635University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Cheryl Ann B Valdez
- Graduate School of Public Health and Institute of Behavioral and Community Health, 7117San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ryan J Watson
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, 7712University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Marla E Eisenberg
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, 5635University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Christopher J Mehus
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, 5635University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Saewyc
- Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Heather L Corliss
- Graduate School of Public Health and Institute of Behavioral and Community Health, 7117San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carolyn M Porta
- School of Nursing, 5635University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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23
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Tabaac AR, Charlton BM, Tan ASL, Cobb CO, Sutter ME. Differences in Tobacco Product Use by Sexual Orientation and Violence Factors Among United States Youth. J Pediatr 2021; 233:241-248. [PMID: 33577801 PMCID: PMC9314188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess differences in the relationship between violence factor exposure and tobacco product pattern use (exclusive and poly), we hypothesized that compared with heterosexuals, sexual minority youth would be more likely to report exclusive-tobacco and poly-tobacco use patterns, and controlling for violence factors would attenuate these associations. STUDY DESIGN Data from 27 513 US high-school youth were analyzed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2015 and 2017. We fit sex-stratified, weighted, adjusted log-Poisson models to compare past 30-day exclusive combustible, exclusive e-cigarette, and poly-tobacco use in across sexual orientation. Then, models were adjusted for past-year experiences of physical fighting, bullying, attempting suicide, and physical and sexual dating violence. RESULTS Compared with heterosexual girls with other-sex partners, sexual minority girls were more likely to use exclusive combustible, exclusive e-cigarette, or poly-tobacco products. When adjusting for violence factors, most tobacco use associations were partially attenuated for all sexual minority girls, and completely attenuated for exclusive e-cigarette use among all sexual minority girls. CONCLUSIONS Sexual minority girls have greater exclusive- and poly-tobacco use compared with heterosexual girls. Tobacco interventions for sexual minority youth should address the risks of poly-tobacco use as well as violence-based risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariella R. Tabaac
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA;,Center for Gender Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA;,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brittany M. Charlton
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA;,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA;,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA;,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Andy S. L. Tan
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Caroline O. Cobb
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Megan E. Sutter
- Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
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24
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Post D, Veling W. Sexual minority status, social adversity and risk for psychotic disorders-results from the GROUP study. Psychol Med 2021; 51:770-776. [PMID: 31875791 PMCID: PMC8108393 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719003726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lesbian, bisexual, or gay individuals (LBGs) have an increased risk for mental health problems compared to heterosexuals, but this association has sparsely been investigated for psychotic disorders. The aim of this study was: (1) to examine whether LBG sexual orientation is more prevalent in individuals with a non-affective psychotic disorder (NAPD) than in people without a psychotic disorder; and if so, (2) to explore possible mediating pathways. METHODS Sexual orientation was assessed in the 6-year follow-up assessment of the Dutch Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis study (GROUP), a case-control study with 1547 participants (582 patients with psychotic disorder, 604 siblings, and 361 controls). Binary logistic regression analyses were used to calculate the risk of patients with a psychotic disorder being LBG, compared to siblings and controls. Perceived discrimination, history of bullying, childhood trauma (CT), and sexual identity disclosure were investigated as potential mediating variables. RESULTS The proportion of individuals with LBG orientation was 6.8% in patients (n = 40), 4.3% in siblings (n = 26), and 2.5% in controls (n = 10). The age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio of LBG for patients was 1.57 (95% CI 1.08-2.27; p = 0.019), compared to siblings and controls. Discrimination, bullying, and CT all partially mediated this association. CONCLUSIONS Adverse social experiences related to sexual minority status may increase the risk for NAPD. Sexual identity, behavior, and difficulties need more attention in everyday clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Post
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - W. Veling
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Feldman S, Watson RJ, Gallik C. College Aspirations, Gender Sexuality Alliances, and Teacher Support among Diverse LGBTQ Youth. EDUCATIONAL REVIEW 2020; 74:281-297. [PMID: 35280598 PMCID: PMC8916710 DOI: 10.1080/00131911.2020.1816907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth report hostile school climates and sexuality-based harassment, but scholarship has not clearly documented how these climates might be associated with college aspirations among this population. Given college has become a common aspiration for many high school youths, we sought to explore subgroup differences in college aspirations among LGBTQ youth, and whether or not LGBTQ-specific community factors, such as Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSA) presence and teacher support, were related to college aspirations. To do this, we analyzed a large sample (N = 11,327, Mage = 15.57) of LGBTQ youth from across the United States. We compared college aspirations across subgroups of youth via bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models to explore how school factors (i.e., presence of GSAs and LGBTQ-specific teacher supportiveness) were associated with college aspirations among LGBTQ youth. We found that transgender youth were less likely to aspire to go to college compared to cisgender counterparts. Additionally, more common sexual minority subgroups (e.g., gay/lesbian) were less likely to aspire to go to college compared to their counterparts with more emergent identity labels (e.g., asexual, queer). The presence of GSAs and higher reports of LGBTQ-supportive teachers were associated with increased odds of aspiring to go to college across all LGBTQ youth in our sample. These findings have implications for how schools and teachers prepare sexual and gender minorities for college. The findings imply that LGBTQ populations should not be treated as monolithic in their college readiness, preparation, and aspirations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Feldman
- Department of Higher Education & Student Affairs, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
| | - Ryan J Watson
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
| | - Connor Gallik
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
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Phillips G, Felt D, Fish JN, Ruprecht MM, Birkett M, Poteat VP. A Response to Cimpian and Timmer (2020): Limitations and Misrepresentation of "Mischievous Responders" in LGBT+ Health Research. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2020; 49:1409-1414. [PMID: 32468199 PMCID: PMC7310577 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-020-01746-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Phillips
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Suite #14-043, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Dylan Felt
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Suite #14-043, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jessica N Fish
- Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Megan M Ruprecht
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Suite #14-043, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Michelle Birkett
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Suite #14-043, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - V Paul Poteat
- Lynch School of Education, Boston College, Boston, MA, USA
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Költő A, Cosma A, Moreau N, Young H, Thorsteinsson EB, Gobina I, Godeau E, Saewyc EM, Nic Gabhainn S. Self-Reported Health and Patterns of Romantic Love in Adolescents from Eight European Countries and Regions. LGBT Health 2020; 7:90-100. [PMID: 32053046 PMCID: PMC7138602 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2019.0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Sexual minority youth (SMY) are at increased risk of poor health, but it remains unclear whether this phenomenon is universal. In this study, nationally representative samples of 15-year olds from eight European countries and regions were investigated to test if adolescents who have been in love with same- or both-gender partners report poorer health than those exclusively in love with opposite-gender partners or who have never been in love. Methods: A subsample of 13,674 adolescents participating in the 2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study was used. We conducted binary logistic regression, adjusted for gender, region, and relative family affluence, to analyze associations between self-reported romantic love, multiple psychosomatic symptoms, and poor self-rated health. Results: Adolescents reporting same-gender love (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-2.02) and both-gender love (aOR = 3.57, 95% CI: 2.65-4.83) had significantly higher odds for multiple psychosomatic symptoms than those who reported opposite-gender love. Similarly, both SMY groups had higher odds of poor self-rated health (aOR = 2.95, 95% CI: 1.64-5.31 and aOR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.79-5.31, respectively). Those who reported that they have never been in love had significantly lower odds for multiple symptoms. Adjustment for sociodemographic variables and stratifying by gender did not substantially change the odds ratios. Conclusion: Adolescents in love with same- and both-gender partners reported poorer subjective health outcomes than those in love with opposite-gender partners or who reported never being in love, suggesting that SMY health inequalities are found across various European countries and regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Költő
- Health Promotion Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alina Cosma
- Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science: Cultural Diversity and Youth, School of Social Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Moreau
- Service d'Information Promotion Education Santé (SIPES), Centre de Recherche “Epidémiologie, Biostatistiques et recherche clinique,” Ecole de Santé Publique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Honor Young
- The Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Einar B. Thorsteinsson
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - Inese Gobina
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
- Institute of Public Health, Riga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Elizabeth M. Saewyc
- Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Saoirse Nic Gabhainn
- Health Promotion Research Centre, School of Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Poteat VP, Birkett M, Turner B, Wang X, Phillips G. Changes in Victimization Risk and Disparities for Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Youth: Trends From 2009 to 2017. J Adolesc Health 2020; 66:202-209. [PMID: 31607546 PMCID: PMC6980438 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to identify sex-stratified trends in victimization risk specific to heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youth while considering changes in sexual orientation-disparities from 2009 to 2017. METHODS Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data collected biennially (five waves; 2009-2017) were pooled across 56 jurisdictions and 454,715 students for one of the most nationally representative samples of heterosexual and sexual minority youth to date. We analyzed a seven-item victimization risk assessment using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended trend analysis approach. We used logistic regression with year-by-identity interactions to test whether sexual orientation-based disparities widened, narrowed, or were maintained over time. RESULTS Victimization risk declined significantly for male and female bisexual and questioning youth, lesbian, gay, and heterosexual youth. Disparities narrowed between bisexual, questioning, and lesbian females and heterosexual females and between bisexual and heterosexual males. Nevertheless, sexual orientation-based disparities remained significant for all sexual minority youth in 2017. CONCLUSIONS Distinct patterns of change in victimization risk for specific groups of sexual minority youth underscore the need to consider variability within sexual minority youth communities; treating them as a singular group could mask nuanced disparities. Some of the relatively small decreases in victimization risk also suggest the need for interventions to address a more comprehensive set of victimization-related risks beyond bullying and needed efforts that are not limited to the immediate school context.
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Affiliation(s)
- V. Paul Poteat
- Boston College, Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, Campion Hall 307, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Michelle Birkett
- Northwestern University, Department of Medical Social Sciences & Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Blair Turner
- Northwestern University, Department of Medical Social Sciences & Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Xinzi Wang
- University of Chicago, Division of the Social Sciences, 5730 S. Woodlawn Ave. Chicago, IL, 60637
| | - Gregory Phillips
- Northwestern University, Department of Medical Social Sciences & Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Crowell-Williamson GA, Fruhbauerova M, DeCou CR, Comtois KA. Perceived burdensomeness, bullying, and suicidal ideation in suicidal military personnel. J Clin Psychol 2019; 75:2147-2159. [PMID: 31332803 PMCID: PMC11000627 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Suicide is a major public health concern among military servicemembers and previous research has demonstrated an association between bullying and suicide. This study evaluated the association between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation via perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness which were hypothesized to mediate this association. METHOD Four hundred and seventy-one suicidal Army Soldiers and U.S. Marines completed self-report measures of suicidal ideation, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and bullying. A series of regressions were used to test the hypothesized mediation model using the baseline data from a larger clinical trial. RESULTS Perceived burdensomeness was a significant mediator of the association between bullying and the level of suicidal ideation, but thwarted belongingness was not a significant mediator. CONCLUSIONS Perceived burdensomeness may represent a malleable target for intervention to prevent suicide among military service members, and should be evaluated further as an intervening variable with regard to suicidality in the setting of bullying victimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin A Crowell-Williamson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Martina Fruhbauerova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Christopher R DeCou
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Katherine A Comtois
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
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Gower AL, Forster M, Gloppen K, Johnson AZ, Eisenberg ME, Connett JE, Borowsky IW. School Practices to Foster LGBT-Supportive Climate: Associations with Adolescent Bullying Involvement. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2019; 19:813-821. [PMID: 29032496 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-017-0847-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth experience disproportionate rates of bullying compared to their heterosexual peers. Schools are well-positioned to address these disparities by creating supportive school climates for LGBT youth, but more research is needed to examine the variety of practices and professional development opportunities put in place to this end. The current study examines how school practices to create supportive LGBT student climate relate to student reports of bullying. Student-level data come from the 2013 Minnesota Student Survey, a state-wide survey of risk and protective factors. Ninth and eleventh grade students (N = 31,183) reported on frequency of physical and relational bullying victimization and perpetration and sexual orientation-based harassment. School administrators reported on six practices related to creating supportive LGBT school climate (N = 103 schools): having a point person for LGBT student issues, displaying sexual orientation-specific content, having a gay-straight alliance, discussing bullying based on sexual orientation, and providing professional development around LGBT inclusion and LGBT student issues. An index was created to indicate how many practices each school used (M = 2.45; SD = 1.76). Multilevel logistic regressions indicated that students attending schools with more supportive LGBT climates reported lower odds of relational bullying victimization, physical bullying perpetration, and sexual orientation-based harassment compared to students in schools with less supportive LGBT climates. Sexual orientation did not moderate these relations, indicating that LGBT-supportive practices may be protective for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation. Findings support school-wide efforts to create supportive climates for LGBQ youth as part of a larger bullying prevention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Gower
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, 3rd floor, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
| | - Myriam Forster
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, 3rd floor, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
| | - Kari Gloppen
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, 3rd floor, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
| | | | - Marla E Eisenberg
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, 3rd floor, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
| | - John E Connett
- Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Iris W Borowsky
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware St SE, 3rd floor, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA
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Rodríguez-Hidalgo AJ, Hurtado-Mellado A. Prevalence and Psychosocial Predictors of Homophobic Victimization among Adolescents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E1243. [PMID: 30965577 PMCID: PMC6479631 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16071243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Bullying and discrimination seriously damage the development and health of adolescents with non-heteronormative sexual orientation. Adolescents from sexual minorities are more likely to be the object of bullying. This research aims to know more about the prevalence, frequency, and some associated factors and predictors of homophobic victimization in adolescents, depending on their sexual orientation. A total of 820 Secondary Schools students took part in this study (average age = 14.87; SD = 1.72; 48.3% were boys and 51.7% were girls) by filling in a self-report questionnaire. The results showed that adolescents suffer homophobic victimization, regardless of their sexual orientation; however, homosexuals and bisexuals suffered it more frequently than heterosexuals. Homophobic victimization could be associated-in heterosexuals and people with doubts about their sexual orientation, positively with bullying victimization, bullying aggression and cyberbullying aggression. Homophobic victimization could be predicted-in heterosexuals, positively due to self-depreciation, and negatively due to communication and relationship skills; and in homosexuals and bisexuals, positively, because of affective empathy. The results are discussed and new lines of study and intervention are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Rodríguez-Hidalgo
- Department of Psychology, Cátedra de Cooperación al Desarrollo, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Almudena Hurtado-Mellado
- Department of Psychology, Cátedra de Cooperación al Desarrollo, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain.
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Fish JN, Turner B, Phillips G, Russell ST. Cigarette Smoking Disparities Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Youth. Pediatrics 2019; 143:peds.2018-1671. [PMID: 30862728 PMCID: PMC6565340 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-1671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using a population-based sample of youth, we examined rates of cigarette use and trends in cigarette use disparities between heterosexual youth and 3 subgroups of sexual minority youth (SMY) (ie, lesbian or gay, bisexual, and unsure) from 2005 to 2015. METHODS Data are from 6 cohorts of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a national, biennial, school-based survey of ninth- to 12th-grade students in the United States (n = 404 583). Sex-stratified analyses conducted in 2017 examined trends in 2 cigarette-related behaviors: lifetime cigarette use and heavy cigarette use (20+ days in the past 30). RESULTS Disparities in lifetime cigarette use between lesbian and heterosexual girls were statistically smaller in 2015 relative to 2005 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.75; P = .011). Sexual orientation disparities in heavy use were narrower for bisexual boys in 2015 compared with 2005 (aOR 0.39; 95% CI 0.17-0.90; P = .028). Girls and boys unsure of their sexual identity had wider disparities in heavy use in 2015 (aOR 3.85; 95% CI 1.39-11.10; P = .009) relative to 2005 (aOR 2.44; 95% CI 1.22-5.00; P = .012). CONCLUSIONS SMY remain at greater risk for cigarette-related behaviors despite greater acceptance of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in the United States. Focused policies and programs aimed at reducing rates of SMY cigarette use are warranted, particularly for youth questioning their sexual identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N. Fish
- Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland;,The Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Blair Turner
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | - Gregory Phillips
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; and
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Russell ST, Fish JN. Sexual minority youth, social change, and health: A developmental collision. RESEARCH IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 2019; 16:5-20. [PMID: 31602178 PMCID: PMC6786797 DOI: 10.1080/15427609.2018.1537772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Few societal attitudes and opinions have changed as quickly as those regarding sexual minority people and rights. In the context of dramatic social change in the space of a single generation, there have been multiple policy changes toward social inclusion and rights for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, and perceptions that the sociocultural context for LGB people - perhaps particularly for youth - has improved. Yet recent evidence from the developmental sciences points to paradoxical findings: in many cases there have been growing rather than shrinking health disparities. In light of swift sociocultural changes, combined with emergent findings regarding the health and wellbeing of sexual minority youth, we suggest that there is a developmental collision between normative adolescent developmental processes and sexual minority youth identities and visibility. The result is a new reality for sexual minority youth health and disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T Russell
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton St., Stop A2702, Austin, Texas 78712-1248
| | - Jessica N Fish
- Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, 142 SPH Building, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20782
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Coulter RW, Sang JM, Louth-Marquez W, Henderson ER, Espelage D, Hunter SC, DeLucas M, Abebe KZ, Miller E, Morrill BA, Hieftje K, Friedman MS, Egan JE. Pilot Testing the Feasibility of a Game Intervention Aimed at Improving Help Seeking and Coping Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2019; 8:e12164. [PMID: 30767903 PMCID: PMC6416896 DOI: 10.2196/12164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY; eg, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth) experience myriad substance use and mental health disparities compared with their cisgender (nontransgender) heterosexual peers. Despite much research showing these disparities are driven by experiences of bullying and cyberbullying victimization, few interventions have aimed to improve the health of bullied SGMY. One possible way to improve the health of bullied SGMY is via a Web-accessible game intervention. Nevertheless, little research has examined the feasibility of using a Web-accessible game intervention with SGMY. Objective This study aimed to describe the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) pilot, testing the feasibility and limited efficacy of a game-based intervention for increasing help-seeking–related knowledge, intentions, self-efficacy, behaviors, productive coping skills use, and coping flexibility and reducing health risk factors and behaviors among SGMY. Methods We enrolled 240 SGMY aged 14 to 18 years residing in the United States into a 2-arm prospective RCT. The intervention is a theory-based, community-informed, computer-based, role playing game with 3 primary components: encouraging help-seeking behaviors, encouraging use of productive coping, and raising awareness of Web-based resources. SGMY randomized to both the intervention and control conditions will receive a list of SGMY-inclusive resources, covering a variety of health-related topics. Control condition participants received only the list of resources. Notably, all study procedures are conducted via the internet. We conveniently sampled SGMY using Web-based advertisements. Study assessments occur at enrollment, 1 month after enrollment, and 2 months after enrollment. The primary outcomes of this feasibility study include implementation procedures, game demand, and game acceptability. Secondary outcomes include help-seeking intentions, self-efficacy, and behaviors; productive coping strategies and coping flexibility; and knowledge and use of Web-based resources. Tertiary outcomes include bullying and cyberbullying victimization, loneliness, mental health issues, substance use, and internalized sexual and gender minority stigma. Results From April to July 2018, 240 participants were enrolled and randomized. Half of the enrolled participants (n=120) were randomized into the intervention condition and half (n=120) into the control condition. At baseline, 52.1% (125/240) of the participants identified as gay or lesbian, 26.7% (64/240) as bisexual, 24.2% (58/240) as queer, and 11.7% (28/240) as another nonheterosexual identity. Nearly half (113/240) of participants were a gender minority: 36.7% (88/240) were cisgender boys, and 16.3% (39/240) were cisgender girls. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between intervention and control condition participants. Conclusions Web-accessible game interventions overcome common impediments of face-to-face interventions and present a unique opportunity to reach SGMY and improve their health. This trial will provide data on feasibility and limited efficacy that can inform future Web-based studies and a larger RCT aimed at improving health equity for SGMY. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03501264; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03501264 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/72HpafarW) International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/12164
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordan M Sang
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | | | | | - Dorothy Espelage
- College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Simon C Hunter
- School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - James E Egan
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Költő A, Young H, Burke L, Moreau N, Cosma A, Magnusson J, Windlin B, Reis M, Saewyc EM, Godeau E, Gabhainn SN. Love and Dating Patterns for Same- and Both-Gender Attracted Adolescents Across Europe. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2018; 28:772-778. [PMID: 29658169 PMCID: PMC6282765 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sexual orientation is a multidimensional phenomenon, which includes identity, behavior, and attraction. The attraction component, however, is less studied than the other two. In this article, we present the development of a two-item measure to identify adolescents who prefer same- and both-gender partners for love and dating. The questions were administered to nationally representative samples of 15-year-old adolescents in eight European countries and regions participating in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) cross-national study. The distribution of attraction, as operationalized by preference for the gender of love and dating partners, was similar across countries. These questions offer an alternative or supplementary approach to identify same- and both-gender attracted youth, without administering questions related to sexual identity.
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Gower AL, Rider GN, McMorris BJ, Eisenberg ME. Bullying Victimization among LGBTQ Youth: Current and Future Directions. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2018; 10:246-254. [PMID: 31057341 PMCID: PMC6497454 DOI: 10.1007/s11930-018-0169-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This paper examines recent research on bullying victimization among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth to identify critical issues and advocate for future research priorities. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies have begun to document the importance of bullying in general, and bias-based bullying (rooted in stigma) in particular, on the health and wellbeing of this vulnerable subgroup of adolescents, as well as drivers of disparities. Current research demonstrates the role of multiple identities for and important differences among LGBTQ youth and has begun to identify protective factors for youth who are the targets of bullying. SUMMARY Researchers, clinicians, and those working with and on behalf of LGBTQ youth must measure and acknowledge the multiple reasons for which LGBTQ youth are the targets of bullying. Intervention and prevention efforts should focus on improving the supportiveness of the climates within which LGBTQ youth live.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Gower
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota. 717 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
| | - G. Nic Rider
- Program in Human Sexuality, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School. 1300 S. 2nd St., Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
| | - Barbara J. McMorris
- Center for Adolescent Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota. 308 Harvard St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Marla E. Eisenberg
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota. 717 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
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37
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Watson RJ, VanKim NA, Rose HA, Porta CM, Gahagan J, Eisenberg ME. Unhealthy weight control behaviors among youth: Sex of sexual partner is linked to important differences. Eat Disord 2018; 26:448-463. [PMID: 29601272 DOI: 10.1080/10640266.2018.1453633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) have been decreasing for most youth over time, yet little is known whether these behaviors have changed for sexual minority (e.g., non-heterosexual) youth. This is important because many studies have found that sexual minorities report some of the highest rates of UWCBs. To determine whether or not these behaviors have changed over time, given the extreme changes in social contexts over the past two decades, we utilised three waves of the Minnesota Student Survey (N = 55,597, Mage = 17). In doing so, we report trends, disparities, and changes in disparities of UWCBs. Overall, the prevalence of UWCBs has declined from 1999 to 2010 for all youth, but there are alarming disparities by sex of sexual partner. We found that both- and same-sex partnered male youth were more likely to fast, use diet pills, and vomit on purpose to lose weight compared to their opposite-sex partnered counterparts in all three survey years; specifically, both-sex partnered boys were up to 5.5× as likely to vomit on purpose compared to their opposite-sex partnered counterparts. Likewise, both-sex partnered girls were more likely to use diet pills and vomit on purpose to lose weight compared to opposite-sex partnered girls in all three survey years. Additionally, the disparity in fasting to lose weight widened for the same-sex partnered females compared to the opposite-sex partnered females from 1998 to 2004. This has implications for UWCB interventions and preventions targeted specifically towards sexual minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Watson
- a Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Nicole A VanKim
- b University of Massachusetts - Amherst, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Hilary A Rose
- c Applied Human Sciences, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carolyn M Porta
- d School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jacqueline Gahagan
- e School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canad
| | - Marla E Eisenberg
- f Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Seelman KL, Walker MB. Do Anti-Bullying Laws Reduce In-School Victimization, Fear-based Absenteeism, and Suicidality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Youth? J Youth Adolesc 2018; 47:2301-2319. [PMID: 30117086 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-018-0904-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are at heightened risk for bullying and other forms of in-school victimization. Anti-bullying laws are a potential policy mechanism for addressing this issue, yet there has been little investigation of the impact of such policies for this population using generalizable samples or quasi-experimental designs. The current study explores whether the presence of state anti-bullying laws predicts lower likelihood of bullying victimization, fear-based absenteeism, in-school threats or injury with a weapon, and suicidality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning high school students in the United States. Based on Youth Risk Behavior Survey data across 22 states from 2005-2015, coupled with data about the presence of general and enumerated anti-bullying laws that include sexual orientation as a protected class, this study analyzes this topic using a quasi-experimental design (linear difference-in-difference models). The results indicate that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youth (particularly boys aged 15 or younger) experienced less bullying victimization in states with general or enumerated anti-bullying laws. There was modest evidence of a reduction in fear-based absenteeism among boys in states with such laws. However, there was little evidence of a relationship between such policies and in-school threats or injuries or suicidality. Further, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning girls' likelihood of victimization, absenteeism, or suicidality was generally not related to the presence of anti-bullying laws. The results suggest that general and enumerated anti-bullying laws may help reduce bullying victimization for gay, bisexual, and questioning boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie L Seelman
- School of Social Work, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3992, USA.
| | - Mary Beth Walker
- Department of Economics, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-3992, USA
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Fish JN, Baams L. Trends in Alcohol-Related Disparities Between Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Youth from 2007 to 2015: Findings from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. LGBT Health 2018; 5:359-367. [PMID: 30010480 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2017.0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess trends in alcohol-related disparities between heterosexual and sexual minority adolescents in the United States from 2007 to 2015. METHODS Data were pooled from the 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (N = 207,367) to estimate trends, disparities, and changes in disparities of four alcohol-related behaviors (i.e., lifetime alcohol use, early onset use (<13 years of age), past 30-day use, and past 30-day heavy episodic drinking [HED]) among heterosexual youth and three subgroups of sexual minority youth (SMY) (i.e., gay/lesbian, bisexual, and unsure). Models were sex stratified and adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, and state of data collection. RESULTS The prevalence of all alcohol-related behaviors declined from 2007 to 2015 for heterosexual youth, but not as consistently for SMY. Disparities in alcohol-related behaviors between heterosexual youth and SMY largely remained stable or widened from 2007 to 2015. Disparities in lifetime alcohol use and past 30-day use were larger between heterosexual boys and gay boys in 2015 relative to 2007. Disparities in early onset use and past 30-day HED were also larger between heterosexual girls and lesbian girls in 2015 relative to 2007. The disparity in past 30-day use between heterosexual girls and bisexual girls was smaller in 2015 compared with 2007. CONCLUSIONS Despite overall declines in adolescent alcohol use, alcohol-related disparities between heterosexual youth and SMY persist and, for some SMY, they have widened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N Fish
- 1 Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas.,2 Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas
| | - Laura Baams
- 3 Department of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, University of Groningen , Groningen, The Netherlands
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Demissie Z, Rasberry CN, Steiner RJ, Brener N, McManus T. Trends in Secondary Schools' Practices to Support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Students, 2008-2014. Am J Public Health 2018; 108:557-564. [PMID: 29470123 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2017.304296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine trends in the percentage of US secondary schools that implemented practices related to the support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students. METHODS This analysis used data from 4 cycles (2008-2014) of School Health Profiles, a surveillance system that provides results representative of secondary schools in each state. Each school completed 2 self-administered questionnaires (principal and teacher) per cycle. We used logistic regression models to examine linear trends. RESULTS Of 8 examined practices to support LGBTQ youths, only 1-identifying safe spaces for LGBTQ youths-increased in most states (72%) from 2010 to 2014. Among the remaining 7, only 1-prohibiting harassment based on a student's perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity-had relatively high rates of adoption (a median of 90.3% of schools in 2014) across states. CONCLUSIONS Many states have seen no change in the implementation of school practices associated with LGBTQ students' health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewditu Demissie
- Zewditu Demissie, Catherine N. Rasberry, Riley J. Steiner, Nancy Brener, and Tim McManus are with the Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Zewditu Demissie is also with the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, MD
| | - Catherine N Rasberry
- Zewditu Demissie, Catherine N. Rasberry, Riley J. Steiner, Nancy Brener, and Tim McManus are with the Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Zewditu Demissie is also with the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, MD
| | - Riley J Steiner
- Zewditu Demissie, Catherine N. Rasberry, Riley J. Steiner, Nancy Brener, and Tim McManus are with the Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Zewditu Demissie is also with the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, MD
| | - Nancy Brener
- Zewditu Demissie, Catherine N. Rasberry, Riley J. Steiner, Nancy Brener, and Tim McManus are with the Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Zewditu Demissie is also with the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, MD
| | - Tim McManus
- Zewditu Demissie, Catherine N. Rasberry, Riley J. Steiner, Nancy Brener, and Tim McManus are with the Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. Zewditu Demissie is also with the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, MD
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Watson RJ, Christensen JL. Big data and student engagement among vulnerable youth: A review. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Heck NC, Poteat VP, Goodenow CS. Advances in Research with LGBTQ Youth in Schools. PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER DIVERSITY 2017; 3:381-385. [PMID: 28497071 DOI: 10.1037/sgd0000206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - V Paul Poteat
- Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology Department, Boston College
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