Perspectives on same-sex sexualities and self-harm amongst service providers and teachers in Hong Kong

Abstract

This research investigates the perspectives of service providers working with Chinese lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth in Hong Kong secondary schools, and maps the relations among same-sex sexualities, religion, education and self-harm. Sixteen service providers, including secondary school teachers, social workers based on and off school sites, and lesbian/transgender activists working in non-governmental organisations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, were subjected to in-depth interviews using a qualitative approach. In addition, extensive participant observation was carried out as part of fieldwork. A grounded theory approach was adopted to code the data, as themes emerged with each successive round of coding. The research findings highlightfour main themes: obstructive barriers to discussing sexuality at school; the effects of personal disinclination and religion; lesbian and gay youth being perceived as especially susceptible to self-harm; and the similarities in perceptions of self-harmers and LGB youth. The findings suggest that conservative religious beliefs at both the personal and structural levels act as a deterrent to providing counselling and mental health services that are supportive of LBG youth in Hong Kong.

Coping styles and suicide in racially and ethnically diverse lesbian, bisexual, and queer women.

“…Further, identifying religious affiliation and an individual’s attitudes toward spiritual- and faith-based experiences and messages can offer a more comprehensive understanding of religious conflicts they may face, which in turn could assist in modifying maladaptive religious coping techniques. Given that conservative religious beliefs have been identified as deterrents to successful counseling and mental health services for self-harming behavior in sexual minority youth (Tang, 2014), identifying and working with SMW’s religious beliefs may assist in therapy addressing suicide.…”