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Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence 7/2009

01-08-2009 | Empirical Research

Emotional Distress Among LGBT Youth: The Influence of Perceived Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation

Auteurs: Joanna Almeida, Renee M. Johnson, Heather L. Corliss, Beth E. Molnar, Deborah Azrael

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Youth and Adolescence | Uitgave 7/2009

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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.
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Metagegevens
Titel
Emotional Distress Among LGBT Youth: The Influence of Perceived Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
Auteurs
Joanna Almeida
Renee M. Johnson
Heather L. Corliss
Beth E. Molnar
Deborah Azrael
Publicatiedatum
01-08-2009
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Youth and Adolescence / Uitgave 7/2009
Print ISSN: 0047-2891
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-6601
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9397-9

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