Recollections of bullying at school and their long-term implications for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals.
This study explores the relationship between experiences of bullying at school, adult mental health status, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress among a sample of 119 UK residents who identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Participants completed a series of questionnaires that focused upon school experiences, suicide ideation at school, sexual history, relationship status and negative affect, recent positive and negative life-events, internalized homophobia, and symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress. The results suggested that posttraumatic stress was a potential issue for 17% of participants who also scored significantly higher for depression, and reported having had more casual sexual partners than their peers. However, those who were found to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress were also more accepting of their sexual orientation. A small number of participants used prescription or nonprescription drugs, or alcohol to help them cope with memories of bullying. It is suggested that posttraumatic stress may be a feature of the adult lives of men and women who experienced frequent and prolonged bullying at school as a result of their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
Rivers
Ian
I
School of Sports Science and Psychology, York St John College, UK. i.rivers@yorksj.ac.uk
D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008603:Mental Health; D011287:Prejudice; D012574:Schools; D017406:Sexual Harassment; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom