Challenges faced by homeless sexual minorities: comparison of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender homeless adolescents with their heterosexual counterparts.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to identify differences between gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) homeless youths and their heterosexual counterparts in terms of physical and mental health difficulties.


METHODS
A sample of 84 GLBT adolescents was matched in regard to age and self-reported gender with 84 heterosexual adolescents. The 2 samples were compared on a variety of psychosocial variables.


RESULTS
GLBT adolescents left home more frequently, were victimized more often, used highly addictive substances more frequently, had higher rates of psychopathology, and had more sexual partners than heterosexual adolescents.


CONCLUSIONS
Homeless youths who identify themselves as members of sexual minority groups are at increased risk for negative outcomes. Recommendations for treatment programs and implications for public health are discussed.
Cochran
Bryan N
BN
Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA. cochranb@u.washington.edu
Stewart
Angela J
AJ
Ginzler
Joshua A
JA
Cauce
Ana Mari
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000145:classification / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D011635:Public Health Administration; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019529:Sexuality / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014504:Urban Health; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology