title: Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  the role of family acceptance as a protective factor for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adolescents and young adults has not been established.
  
  
  METHODS
  a quantitative measure with items derived from prior qualitative work retrospectively assessed family accepting behaviors in response to LGBT adolescents' sexual orientation and gender expression and their relationship to mental health, substance abuse, and sexual risk in young adults (N= 245).
  
  
  RESULTS
  family acceptance predicts greater self-esteem, social support, and general health status; it also protects against depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation and behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  family acceptance of LGBT adolescents is associated with positive young adult mental and physical health. Interventions that promote parental and caregiver acceptance of LGBT adolescents are needed to reduce health disparities.
authors.affiliation: Marian Wright Edelman Institute, San Francisco State University, USA. fap@sfsu.edu
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Stephen T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huebner
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult