title: Working with nonheterosexual youth to understand sexual identity development, at-risk behaviors, and implications for health care professionals.
abstract: This article outlines special issues related to being a nonheterosexual youth. Information is presented on the sexual development of homosexual youth and their unique challenges. Included are data about the average age of initial awareness and self-identification of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning youth. The average age of awareness of homosexual orientation is between 10 or 11 years, while the average for identifying or self-labeling is ages 13-15. This age range is consistent across studies. The special issues related to a unique sexual development, prejudices associated with being a nonheterosexually oriented youth, typical behavioral outcomes of dealing with discrimination, and major health concerns for this at-risk population are identified. Finally, implications for health care professionals working with these adolescents are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3003, USA.
authors.forename: Shannon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Shannon B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dermer
authors.forename: Randall L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Astramovich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012309:Risk-Taking