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Promoting Empowerment Among LGBTQ Youth: A Social Justice Youth Development Approach

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Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified (LGBTQ) youth are a population with a unique set of service needs. Existing research on effective service methods with LGBTQ youth is limited. Youth empowerment holds potential as an approach that can impact well-being among youth who face discrimination. The current study explores the relationship between the social justice youth development framework (Ginwright and James, New Directions Youth Dev 96:27–46, 2002) and youth empowerment in a sample of LGBTQ youth. Multiple regression analysis of data collected through a community-based youth program identified critical consciousness and community engagement as significant predictors of empowerment. Findings suggest that programs that promote these factors among LGBTQ youth using the social justice youth development framework may enhance empowerment thereby increasing other aspects of well-being.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge and thank one•n•ten for their partnership in the development and implementation of this research study, and the youth who participated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Commonwealth University, 1000 Floyd Ave, PO Box 842027, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA

    M. Alex Wagaman

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  1. M. Alex Wagaman
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Correspondence to M. Alex Wagaman.

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Alex Wagaman, M. Promoting Empowerment Among LGBTQ Youth: A Social Justice Youth Development Approach. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 33, 395–405 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-016-0435-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-016-0435-7

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