Developmental Trends in Peer Victimization and Emotional Distress in LGB and Heterosexual Youth

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Peer victimization predicts numerous health risks. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)-identified youth report greater peer victimization than do heterosexualidentified youth. No longitudinal studies have been conducted on developmental trends of peer victimization and emotional distress among LGB and heterosexual youth. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:We provide the first longitudinal evidence on developmental trends of peer victimization and emotional distress for LGB-and heterosexual-identified youth. The findings suggest peer victimization of LGB-identified youth decreases in absolute, but not necessarily relative, terms and contributes to later emotional distress disparities. abstract OBJECTIVES: This study had 2 objectives: Our first objective was to provide the first evidence of developmental trends in victimization rates for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)-and heterosexual-identified youth, both in absolute and relative terms, and to examine differences by gender. Our second objective was to examine links between victimization, sexual identity, and later emotional distress. METHODS:Data are from a nationally representative prospective cohort study of youth in England were collected annually between 2004 and 2010. Our final analytic dataset includes 4135 participants with data at all 7 waves; 4.5% (n = 187) identified as LGB. Analyses included hierarchical linear modeling, propensity score matching, and structural equation modeling. RESULTS:LGB victimization rates decreased in absolute terms. However, trends in relative rates were more nuanced: Gay/bisexual-identified boys became more likely to be victimized compared with heterosexualidentified boys (wave 1: odds ratio [OR] = 1.78, P = .011; wave 7: OR = 3.95, P = .001), whereas relative rates among girls approached parity (wave 1: OR = 1.95, P = .001; wave 7: OR = 1.18, P = .689), suggesting different LGB-heterosexual relative victimization rate trends for boys and girls. Early victimization and emotional distress explained about 50% of later LGB-heterosexual emotional distress disparities for both boys and girls (each P , .015).CONCLUSIONS: Victimization of LGB youth decreases in absolute, but not necessarily relative, terms. The findings suggest that addressing LGB victimization during adolescence is critical to reducing LGBheterosexual emotional distress disparities but additional support may be necessary to fully eliminate these disparities. Dr Robinson conceptualized the study, designed and performed the data analysis, drafted the initial manuscript, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted; Dr Espelage conceptualized the study, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted; and Dr Rivers conceptualized the study, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted.www.pediatrics.org/cgi

The views of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth regarding computerised self-help for depression: An exploratory study

“…However, our results contrast with recent work which has suggested that LGB individuals are now living 'beyond the closest' (Seidman, 2002), where concealing a LGB identity is no longer a major preoccupation for LGB youth (Seidman, 2002;Willis, 2012). Furthermore, although LGB victimization is still acknowledged as a major issue for many LGB young people (Chesir-Teran 2011), recent research has suggested this victimization decreases over time (Robinson, Espelage, & Rivers, 2013).…”

The views of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth regarding computerised self-help for depression: An exploratory study

“…Hillier & Harrison, 2004;Safren & Rogers, 2001) LGB participants in our study experienced abuse and discrimination when their homosexuality was either suspected or disclosed. However, our results contrast with recent work which has suggested that LGB individuals are now living 'beyond the closest' (Seidman, 2002), where concealing a LGB identity is no longer a major preoccupation for LGB youth (Seidman, 2002;Willis, 2012 Felix, Furlong, & Austin, 2009;Russell, Ryan, Toomey, Diaz, & Sanchez, 2011), recent research has suggested this victimization decreases over time (Robinson, Espelage, & Rivers, 2013).…”

Mental health among UK inner city non-heterosexuals: the role of risk factors, protective factors and place

“…Very few UK or European studies have directly quantified the underlying minority stress and other mechanisms for sexual orientation-related mental health disparities though available findings support those from US studies. A recent UK longitudinal study found that early victimisation partially explained emotional distress disparities in LGB young people (Robinson et al, 2013) and other minority stress mechanisms involving negative experiences of 'coming out' and homophobic bullying have been associated with increased odds of suicidal thoughts and attempts (Nodin et al, 2015). UK attitudes towards homosexuality have become increasingly tolerant; however, experiences of homophobia and victimisation remain common (Guasp, 2012;Guasp, 2013).…”