title: Contextualizing gay-straight alliances: student, advisor, and structural factors related to positive youth development among members.
abstract: Gay-straight alliances (GSAs) may promote resilience. Yet, what GSA components predict well-being? Among 146 youth and advisors in 13 GSAs (58% lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning; 64% White; 38% received free/reduced-cost lunch), student (demographics, victimization, attendance frequency, leadership, support, control), advisor (years served, training, control), and contextual factors (overall support or advocacy, outside support for the GSA) that predicted purpose, mastery, and self-esteem were tested. In multilevel models, GSA support predicted all outcomes. Racial/ethnic minority youth reported greater well-being, yet lower support. Youth in GSAs whose advisors served longer and perceived more control and were in more supportive school contexts reported healthier outcomes. GSA advocacy also predicted purpose. Ethnographic notes elucidated complex associations and variability as to how GSAs operated.
authors.affiliation: Boston College.
authors.forename: V Paul
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Poteat
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: Jerel P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Calzo
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Craig D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: DiGiovanni
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lipkin
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mundy-Shephard
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perrotti
authors.forename: Jillian R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Scheer
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult