Title |
Emotional Distress Among LGBT Youth: The Influence of Perceived Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
|
---|---|
Published in |
Journal of Youth and Adolescence, February 2009
|
DOI | 10.1007/s10964-009-9397-9 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Joanna Almeida, Renee M. Johnson, Heather L. Corliss, Beth E. Molnar, Deborah Azrael |
Abstract |
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. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 12 | 30% |
India | 2 | 5% |
Canada | 2 | 5% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 5% |
Chile | 1 | 3% |
El Salvador | 1 | 3% |
France | 1 | 3% |
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of | 1 | 3% |
Botswana | 1 | 3% |
Other | 2 | 5% |
Unknown | 15 | 38% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 30 | 75% |
Scientists | 6 | 15% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 2 | 5% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 5% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 22 | 2% |
Canada | 4 | <1% |
United Kingdom | 2 | <1% |
Germany | 1 | <1% |
Chile | 1 | <1% |
Japan | 1 | <1% |
Australia | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 995 | 97% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Bachelor | 177 | 17% |
Student > Master | 176 | 17% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 139 | 14% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 89 | 9% |
Researcher | 70 | 7% |
Other | 154 | 15% |
Unknown | 222 | 22% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 305 | 30% |
Social Sciences | 226 | 22% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 90 | 9% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 37 | 4% |
Arts and Humanities | 31 | 3% |
Other | 88 | 9% |
Unknown | 250 | 24% |