Emotional distress among LGBT youth: the influence of perceived discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The authors evaluated emotional distress among 9th-12th grade students, and examined whether the association between being lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered (i.e., "LGBT") and emotional distress was mediated by perceptions of having been treated badly or discriminated against because others thought they were gay or lesbian. Data come from a school-based survey in Boston, Massachusetts (n = 1,032); 10% were LGBT, 58% were female, and ages ranged from 13 to 19 years. About 45% were Black, 31% were Hispanic, and 14% were White. LGBT youth scored significantly higher on the scale of depressive symptomatology. They were also more likely than heterosexual, non-transgendered youth to report suicidal ideation (30% vs. 6%, p < 0.0001) and self-harm (21% vs. 6%, p < 0.0001). Mediation analyses showed that perceived discrimination accounted for increased depressive symptomatology among LGBT males and females, and accounted for an elevated risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation among LGBT males. Perceived discrimination is a likely contributor to emotional distress among LGBT youth.
Almeida
Joanna
J
Northeastern University, School of Health Professions, Institute on Urban Health Research, Stearns Building, Boston, MA 02115, USA. jalmeida@post.harvard.edu
Johnson
Renee M
RM
Corliss
Heather L
HL
Molnar
Beth E
BE
Azrael
Deborah
D
D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*